Ørsted Expands German Offshore Wind Capacity With Borkum Riffgrund 3 Commissioning

Ørsted Expands German Offshore Wind Capacity With Borkum Riffgrund 3 Commissioning

(IN BRIEF) Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure have brought the 913 MW Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm into commercial operation, making it one of Germany’s largest operational offshore wind farms and a major contributor to the country’s domestic renewable energy supply. Jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure, the project supports Germany’s energy security and industrial decarbonisation by supplying renewable electricity to major offtakers through long-term corporate power purchase agreements totalling 786 MW, including contracts with Amazon, BASF, Covestro, Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft/REWE Group and Google. Located about 72 kilometres off the German North Sea coast, the wind farm consists of 83 turbines rated at 11 MW each and has mobilised a broad European supply chain involving Germany, Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Belgium. With Borkum Riffgrund 3 in operation, Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in Germany rises to around 2.5 GW, enough to supply the equivalent of approximately 2.5 million households with renewable electricity.

(PRESS RELEASE) FREDERICIA, 31-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure have commissioned Borkum Riffgrund 3, a major German offshore wind farm that has now entered commercial operation.

With an installed capacity of 913 MW, Borkum Riffgrund 3 is one of the largest offshore wind farms currently operating in Germany.

The project marks a significant milestone for Germany’s transition to domestic renewable energy and for Ørsted’s 8.1 GW offshore wind construction programme.

Borkum Riffgrund 3 is jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure.

The offshore wind farm is designed to provide reliable, home-grown renewable electricity to German industry and households, supporting energy security and reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports.

The project will generate renewable power at scale for German industrial and technology customers.

Ørsted said this demonstrates strong demand for renewable electricity across the digital economy and key industrial sectors, including chemicals.

Borkum Riffgrund 3 is also an important step in Ørsted’s wider construction programme, which is expected to take the company’s total installed offshore wind capacity to more than 18 GW once completed.

The project is Ørsted’s sixth operational offshore wind farm in Germany.

It follows the 253 MW Gode Wind 3 project, which was commissioned in early 2025 and is also jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure.

Ørsted said it is Germany’s leading offshore wind operator, accounting for around 25% of the country’s installed offshore wind capacity.

Nuveen Infrastructure is one of the world’s largest infrastructure investment managers, with more than USD 40 billion in assets under management.

Offshore wind and energy security

Patrick Harnett, Chief Construction Officer at Ørsted, said the commercial operation of Borkum Riffgrund 3 represents a landmark project for Germany and European offshore wind.

He said the project also marks further progress in Ørsted’s 8.1 GW construction portfolio.

Harnett said the wind farm shows how large-scale offshore wind can strengthen energy security across Germany and Europe by supplying power to businesses and homes.

He added that Ørsted remains committed to expanding offshore wind in Germany and Europe, which he described as the company’s core market.

He said stable and predictable regulatory frameworks are essential for enabling further offshore wind investments, strengthening energy resilience and supporting jobs across Europe.

Jordi Francesch, Global Head of Asset Management, Clean Energy at Nuveen Infrastructure, said the commercial operation of the 913 MW project marks the delivery of one of Germany’s largest offshore wind farms.

He said Nuveen Infrastructure, together with Ørsted and long-term offtake partners, is providing clean electricity under a portfolio of long-dated corporate power purchase agreements.

Francesch said the project supports industrial decarbonisation and long-term price visibility for consumers and businesses in Germany.

He added that the milestone demonstrates Nuveen Infrastructure’s ability to develop and manage large and complex clean energy projects at scale, while supporting the EU energy transition and strengthening Germany’s energy security.

Josche Muth, Country Manager for Ørsted Germany, said Germany’s energy future will not be built on fossil imports, but on large-scale domestic renewable power.

He said Borkum Riffgrund 3 shows how offshore wind can deliver secure, affordable and home-grown electricity.

Muth added that the project’s 913 MW installed capacity is already powering German industry and demonstrates what energy security looks like in practice.

Felix Gschnell, Programme Director for Borkum Riffgrund 3 at Ørsted, said the completion of the wind farm is a major milestone for Germany’s offshore wind industry.

He said the project was delivered through a collective effort by dedicated suppliers and Ørsted’s project team, drawing on the company’s experience in large-scale offshore wind.

Gschnell said the commissioning of Ørsted’s sixth wind farm in the German North Sea further consolidates the company’s market-leading position and highlights the role offshore wind can play in advancing Germany’s Energiewende.

Powering German industrial decarbonisation

Borkum Riffgrund 3 is backed by several long-term corporate power purchase agreements signed by Ørsted with industrial and technology customers.

The wind farm will supply reliable renewable power for data centres, retailers and the chemical industry.

Offtake agreements totalling 786 MW have been signed with Amazon, BASF, Covestro, Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft/REWE Group and Google.

The agreements include 350 MW with Amazon, 186 MW with BASF, 100 MW with Covestro, 100 MW with Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft/REWE Group and 50 MW with Google.

The contracts range from 10 to 25 years in duration.

Ørsted said the long-term agreements contribute to German energy independence and security of supply.

European supply chain and local value creation

Borkum Riffgrund 3 is located approximately 72 kilometres off the coast in the German North Sea and covers an area of around 75 square kilometres.

The offshore wind farm consists of 83 wind turbines, each with a rated capacity of 11 MW.

The project mobilised a broad European supply chain.

Wind turbines and foundations came from Germany and Denmark, cables from Germany and France, and installation vessels from the Netherlands and Belgium.

Around 100 German companies were contracted during construction of the wind farm.

With Borkum Riffgrund 3 now in operation, Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in Germany has increased to around 2.5 GW.

That is enough to supply the equivalent of approximately 2.5 million households with renewable electricity.

Operation and maintenance for Borkum Riffgrund 3 and Ørsted’s wider German offshore wind portfolio are carried out from Norden-Norddeich and Emden.

Ørsted said these locations make use of Lower Saxony’s established offshore wind infrastructure and network.

About Ørsted 
Ørsted is a global leader in developing, constructing, and operating offshore wind farms, with a core focus on Europe. Backed by 35 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 7,200 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2025, the group’s operating profit excluding new partnerships and cancellation fees was DKK 25.1 billion (EUR 3.4 billion). Visit orsted.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Nuveen 
Nuveen is a global investment leader, managing USD 1.4 trillion in public and private assets for clients around the world, as of June 30, 2026. With broad expertise across income and alternatives, we invest in the growth of businesses, real estate, infrastructure, and natural capital, providing clients with the reliability, access, and foresight unique to our 125+ year heritage. Our prevailing perspective on the future drives our ambition to innovate and adapt our business to the changing needs of investors — all to pursue lasting performance for our clients, our communities, and our global economy.

This operation benefits from support from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund

Media Contacts:

Ørsted

Media Relations
Frederik Høj Rühne
+45 99 55 95 52
globalmedia@orsted.com

Investor Relations
Rasmus Keglberg Hærvig
+45 99 55 90 95
IR@orsted.com

Nuveen 
Rachael Dowers
+44 20 3727 8234
rachael.dowers@nuveenglobal.com
media-inquiries@nuveen.com

SOURCE: Ørsted