Offshore Wind Capacity Expands in Germany with Ørsted’s Largest Project Now Feeding Into the Grid

Offshore Wind Capacity Expands in Germany with Ørsted’s Largest Project Now Feeding Into the Grid

(IN BRIEF) Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure’s Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm has delivered its first power to the German grid, marking a major progress point toward full operation expected in Q1 2026. The 913 MW project — now Ørsted’s largest in Germany — reflects a broad European supply collaboration involving manufacturers and contractors across Germany, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The facility will support decarbonisation through corporate power purchase agreements totaling 786 MW, with buyers including Amazon, BASF, Covestro, REWE Group, and Google. Located 72 km offshore in the North Sea, the wind farm hosts 83 turbines and is the first in Germany by Ørsted to operate without an offshore substation, using a direct 66 kV link to TenneT’s DolWin epsilon platform. Borkum Riffgrund 3 builds on Ørsted’s expanding offshore portfolio, which will reach 2.5 GW by early 2026, strengthening Germany’s renewable energy capacity and energy security.

(PRESS RELEASE) FREDERICIA, 4-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Ørsted has reached a significant achievement in Germany as its newest offshore wind project, Borkum Riffgrund 3, has begun delivering electricity to the national grid. Developed in partnership with Nuveen Infrastructure, the project is set to become the company’s largest offshore wind farm in the German market, offering an installed capacity of 913 MW. Once fully operational, the wind farm will play an instrumental role in helping German industries transition to cleaner energy through a series of long-term corporate power purchase agreements.

The first power was successfully delivered on 3 December 2025, marking an important milestone in the construction process. Borkum Riffgrund 3 also highlights the strength of Europe’s offshore wind supply chain, drawing on a network of suppliers across the continent — with turbines and foundations built in Germany and Denmark, cables from Germany and France, and installation vessels sourced from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Electricity now flowing from the wind farm will support major industrial companies and technology customers in lowering their carbon footprint. The project is scheduled to reach full commissioning in Q1 2026, when it will provide enough renewable electricity to match the consumption of a major city annually.

Patrick Harnett, Ørsted’s Chief Construction Officer, emphasized that the project embodies European collaboration and green industrial growth. He noted that the construction has created local jobs and, once complete, will meaningfully contribute to energy independence and low-carbon power for European businesses.

Nuveen Infrastructure’s Managing Director of Renewable Energy Investments, Jordi Francesch, described the production of first power as a landmark moment not only for Ørsted and Nuveen, but for Germany’s offshore wind development — reinforcing the EU’s transition toward long-term sustainable energy solutions.

Ørsted Programme Director Felix Gschnell added that reaching the first power mark reflects extensive effort and coordination from teams and suppliers. He highlighted the focus now shifts toward commissioning the remaining turbines and preparing for full commercial operation next year.

Situated approx. 72 km off the German North Sea coast, Borkum Riffgrund 3 spans 75 km² and comprises 83 turbines, each rated at 11 MW. Notably, it is Ørsted’s first German offshore wind farm built without an offshore substation, instead connecting directly through a 66 kV link to TenneT’s DolWin epsilon converter platform.

The project is underpinned by long-term CPPAs totaling 786 MW, with agreements secured with major corporate buyers including Amazon (350 MW), BASF (186 MW), Covestro (100 MW), Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft/REWE Group (100 MW), and Google (50 MW), with terms ranging from 10 to 25 years. The contracts bring price stability for the developers while supporting buyers with renewable power.

Borkum Riffgrund 3 joins Ørsted and Nuveen’s recently commissioned Gode Wind 3 project and the company’s other North Sea assets, contributing to Ørsted’s growing presence in Germany. By early 2026, the company’s offshore wind portfolio in the country will reach roughly 2.5 GW, supplying power equivalent to 2.5 million homes. Ørsted now operates more than 20% of Germany’s total offshore wind capacity, with operations and maintenance managed from Norden-Norddeich and Emden in East Frisia.

For further information, please contact:

Ørsted Germany Media Relations
Steffen Kück
Tel. +49 40 181 310 829
steku@orsted.com

Nuveen
Nick Scott
nicholas.scott@nuveenglobal.com
+44 (0)7973 932721
media-inquiries@nuveen.com

About Ørsted
Ørsted is a global leader in developing, constructing, and operating offshore wind farms, with a core focus on Europe. Backed by more than 30 years of experience in offshore wind, Ørsted has 10.2 GW of installed offshore capacity and 8.1 GW under construction. Ørsted’s total installed renewable energy capacity spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America exceeds 18 GW across a portfolio that also includes onshore wind, solar power, energy storage, bioenergy plants, and energy trading. Widely recognised as a global sustainability leader, Ørsted is guided by its vision of a world that runs entirely on green energy. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs approximately 8,000 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2024, the group’s operating profit excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees was DKK 24.8 billion (EUR 3.3 billion). Visit orsted.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Nuveen
Nuveen, the investment manager of TIAA, offers a comprehensive range of outcome-focused investment solutions designed to secure the long-term financial goals of institutional and individual investors. Nuveen has $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of 31 March 2025 and operations in 32 countries. Its investment specialists offer deep expertise across a comprehensive range of traditional and alternative investments through a wide array of vehicles and customized strategies. For more information, please visit www.nuveen.com.

SOURCE: Ørsted