Ørsted and Nuveen Commission 913 MW Borkum Riffgrund 3 Offshore Wind Farm in Germany

The 913-megawatt Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm has officially entered commercial operation, marking the completion of one of Germany's largest renewable energy projects to date. Located approximately 72 kilometers off the coast of Lower Saxony in the North Sea, the facility is jointly owned by Danish energy developer Ørsted and global investment manager Nuveen Infrastructure. The commissioning of the massive wind farm represents a significant milestone in Europe's broader push to expand offshore wind capacity and transition away from fossil fuel reliance. By delivering utility-scale, home-grown electricity directly into the German grid, the project underscores the growing viability of large-scale renewable infrastructure to meet the demands of modern industry.[1][2]

Covering an expansive area of 75 square kilometers, the wind farm is equipped with 83 Siemens Gamesa turbines, each boasting a rated capacity of 11 megawatts. In a departure from traditional offshore wind farm designs, Borkum Riffgrund 3 was constructed without a dedicated offshore substation. Instead, the turbines are linked directly to grid operator TenneT's DolWin epsilon offshore converter platform, streamlining the transmission of power back to the mainland. This direct-connection approach reduces infrastructure costs and complexity while ensuring efficient power delivery to the onshore grid. The sheer scale of the 913 MW installation makes it a cornerstone asset in Germany's renewable energy portfolio.[1][3]

A defining feature of Borkum Riffgrund 3 is its heavy reliance on corporate power purchase agreements rather than state subsidies. Ørsted has secured long-term contracts totaling 786 MW with a consortium of industrial and technology giants, demonstrating the intense private-sector demand for clean energy. Amazon represents the largest single offtaker with a 350 MW commitment, followed by chemical manufacturer BASF at 186 MW. Covestro and the REWE Group have each contracted for 100 MW of capacity, while Google has secured 50 MW to support its regional operations.[1][2]

These power purchase agreements, which span between 10 and 25 years, are designed to provide long-term price visibility and reliable clean electricity for energy-intensive operations, including hyperscale data centers, retail networks, and chemical production facilities. By locking in fixed rates for renewable power, these corporations are actively insulating themselves against the volatility of European wholesale energy markets. Furthermore, the direct procurement model allows these companies to credibly claim progress toward their aggressive net-zero emissions targets, ensuring their operations are powered by newly added, verifiable green electrons rather than relying on unbundled energy certificates.[2][3]

The construction phase of the wind farm mobilized a vast European supply chain, underscoring the cross-border nature of modern offshore wind development. Turbines and foundations were sourced from manufacturing hubs in Germany and Denmark, while the extensive network of subsea cables was manufactured in Germany and France. Specialized installation vessels were deployed from the Netherlands and Belgium to handle the complex offshore assembly. Throughout the build process, approximately 100 German companies were contracted for various components and services, injecting significant capital into the domestic industrial base and supporting specialized maritime jobs.[2][3]

For Ørsted, the successful commissioning of Borkum Riffgrund 3 represents a critical step forward in its broader 8.1-gigawatt offshore wind construction program. The facility is the company's sixth operational wind farm in German waters, closely following the 253 MW Gode Wind 3 project that came online in early 2025. The completion of these consecutive projects demonstrates the developer's ability to execute complex infrastructure at scale, even as the broader offshore wind sector navigates supply chain bottlenecks and inflationary pressures. Upon completion of its current global pipeline, Ørsted expects its total installed offshore wind capacity to exceed 18 GW.[2][3]

With this latest addition, Ørsted's total installed offshore wind capacity in Germany has reached approximately 2.5 gigawatts. This footprint accounts for roughly 25 percent of the country's entire operational offshore wind fleet. In absolute terms, this 2.5 GW portfolio generates enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of 2.5 million German households. However, because of the heavy reliance on corporate offtake agreements at Borkum Riffgrund 3, a significant portion of this newly generated power will flow directly to industrial consumers rather than residential distribution networks, directly supporting the decarbonization of the country's manufacturing and tech sectors.[2][3]

Moving forward, operations and maintenance for the new wind farm will be managed from Ørsted's existing logistical hubs in Norden-Norddeich and Emden in Lower Saxony, leveraging the region's established maritime infrastructure. As Germany continues its mandated phase-out of coal-fired power plants and navigates the permanent absence of Russian pipeline gas, large-scale domestic generation assets like Borkum Riffgrund 3 are increasingly viewed as the backbone of the country's future energy security. The project provides a clear blueprint for how private capital, corporate demand, and cross-border supply chains can align to deliver utility-scale clean energy.[1][3]