Ørsted’s offshore wind farm, Borkum Riffgrund 3, has begun feeding electricity into the German grid, marking a significant step in the company’s European renewable energy portfolio. The 913MW project, co-owned with Nuveen Infrastructure, is situated nearly 72km off the German North Sea coast and spans an area of approximately 75km². The wind farm’s construction showcased European collaboration, with components sourced from Denmark, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Notably, Borkum Riffgrund 3 is Ørsted’s first German offshore wind farm to operate without an offshore substation. Instead, the turbines are directly connected to TenneT’s DolWin epsilon offshore converter platform via a 66kV link. This innovation could influence future offshore wind farm designs, potentially reducing costs and simplifying infrastructure.
The project is backed by multiple long-term corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs) with major corporations, including Amazon, BASF, REWE Group, Covestro, and Google. These agreements, ranging from ten to 25 years, total 786MW and are expected to provide price stability for both the project and its customers. The involvement of these corporate giants underscores the growing trend of businesses committing to renewable energy sources to meet sustainability goals.
Ørsted anticipates that Borkum Riffgrund 3 will be fully commissioned by the first quarter of 2026. Once operational, it will contribute to Ørsted’s growing offshore wind capacity in Germany, which is projected to reach around 2.5GW by early 2026. This capacity is expected to power approximately 2.5 million households, significantly boosting Germany’s renewable energy supply.
The development of Borkum Riffgrund 3 and similar projects could accelerate the transition to renewable energy in Europe. The long-term CPPAs may set a precedent for other offshore wind projects, encouraging more corporate investment in renewable energy. Additionally, the innovative design of the wind farm, without an offshore substation, could inspire further advancements in offshore wind technology, potentially reducing costs and improving efficiency.
As Ørsted continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio, the company’s recent claim of cutting carbon emissions by 98% highlights its commitment to sustainability. This progress could influence other energy companies to adopt similar strategies, driving the industry towards a greener future.