RWE Advances Nordseecluster Construction as Two Large-Scale Offshore Substations Prepare for Deployment

© Chantiers de l’Atlantique / Bernard Biger

(IN BRIEF) RWE has reached a key construction milestone for the 1.6-gigawatt Nordseecluster offshore wind project with the completion of two large electrical substations at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, which will now be transported to the North Sea for installation on pre-installed foundations around 50 kilometres north of Juist. The substations will form the operational heart of Nordseecluster A, collecting and transforming electricity from 44 turbines before sending it to shore, while also enabling remote monitoring and control. Phase A, delivering 660 MW, is on track for commissioning in early 2027, while Phase B will add a further 900 MW from 60 turbines in 2029, making the full cluster capable of supplying green electricity for around 1.6 million German households. The milestone underscores RWE’s growing offshore wind portfolio and its partnerships with Norges Bank Investment Management, alongside ongoing flagship projects in the UK, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

(PRESS RELEASE) SAINT-NAZAIRE, 11-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE marked a major construction milestone for its Nordseecluster offshore wind project with a completion ceremony for two large-scale offshore electrical substations at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The event celebrated the successful design, fabrication, and integration of the two topsides that will serve as the central electrical hubs for Phase A of the 1.6-gigawatt Nordseecluster, a joint venture between RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%) currently being developed in the German North Sea.

Each of the substations’ topsides measures roughly 40 metres in length and 22 metres in height, making them among the most substantial offshore electrical structures in Europe. The first unit weighs approximately 1,800 tonnes, while the second is about 2,500 tonnes. By the end of February, both structures will leave Saint-Nazaire aboard a heavy-lift barge for an eight-day voyage to their installation site around 50 kilometres north of the island of Juist. The foundations for both substations have already been installed on the seabed, paving the way for the final “wedding at sea” installation process.

Once operational, the substations will collect electricity generated by the Nordseecluster wind turbines, step up the voltage, and transmit the power to the grid operator’s offshore converter station before it is sent to shore. In addition to their core electrical function, the substations are equipped with advanced monitoring and control systems that will allow RWE to oversee and manage operations remotely from land.

Tobias Keitel, Chief Technology Officer of RWE Offshore Wind, described the completion of the topsides as a critical step toward bringing the project to life. He emphasized that the installation phase is now imminent and thanked Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Norges Bank Investment Management, and all project partners for their collaboration. He underlined that the 1.6-gigawatt Nordseecluster will significantly strengthen RWE’s offshore portfolio while contributing to a secure, clean, and affordable energy system.

Frédéric Grizaud, Senior Vice President of Marine Renewable Energies at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, highlighted the technical achievement of delivering two offshore substations simultaneously. He noted that the project demonstrates the competitiveness of the French offshore wind industry and reinforces the company’s position as a leading supplier of complex marine renewable infrastructure in Europe.

Construction of Nordseecluster A is advancing on schedule. Foundation installation was completed at the end of 2025, subsea cable installation is currently underway, and turbine installation is set to begin in summer 2026. Nordseecluster A will deliver 660 megawatts of capacity when it enters commercial operation in early 2027, powered by 44 wind turbines.

The second phase, Nordseecluster B, is already progressing with foundation fabrication in progress. This expansion will add a further 900 megawatts from 60 additional turbines, with commissioning planned for 2029. Together, both phases will make Nordseecluster capable of supplying renewable electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of around 1.6 million German households. RWE will remain responsible for construction, operation, and maintenance throughout the project’s full lifecycle.

Beyond Nordseecluster, RWE continues to expand its global offshore wind footprint. The company is currently developing major projects including Sofia in the United Kingdom (1.4 GW), Thor in Denmark in partnership with Norges Bank Investment Management (1.1 GW), and OranjeWind in the Netherlands with TotalEnergies (795 MW), reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most experienced offshore wind developers.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driving by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life.

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Sarah Knauber
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RWE Offshore Wind GmbH
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SOURCE: RWE