Nordlicht offshore wind cluster: a milestone for the energy transition in Germany
Vattenfall's Nordlicht I wind farm is Germany's largest offshore wind project. It is part of the Nordlicht I and II cluster. Its size, the amount of electricity it produces and the steel used in its construction are setting the course for a fossil-free future – especially for customers who will be purchasing renewable electricity via PPAs.
December 2025
The Nordlicht cluster is located approximately 85 kilometres north of Borkum in the German North Sea. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with full commissioning planned for 2028. With a total capacity of more than 1.6 gigawatts (GW), they are expected to generate six terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable electricity annually, which could supply around 1.7 million households with renewable electricity.
Innovation and sustainability on a large scale
Nordlicht 1, the larger site, will have a capacity of around 980 megawatts, Nordlicht 2 a further 630 MW. But the Nordlicht cluster is not just about sheer size, it is also about setting new standards for sustainability – beyond renewable electricity generation: Both wind farms will be built with Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines and towers, some of which are made from low-emission steel. This reduces our carbon footprint by 16 per cent compared to steel used in conventional wind turbines. This innovation supports our goal of driving forward the decarbonisation of industry and enabling a life without fossil fuels.
Benefits for customers
For industrial customers and partners, Nordlicht is a reliable source of renewable electricity and an opportunity to conclude long-term electricity purchase agreements in the form of power purchase agreements (PPAs). They offer planning security, cost stability, clear sustainability advantages and strategic differentiation in the market. They are one of the most effective instruments for securing energy supply and climate targets in the long term.
The advantages in detail:
- Medium to long-term volume and price hedging for electricity from renewable sources
Long-term contracts enable companies to secure reliable volumes of renewable electricity. This reduces their dependence on the wholesale market and thus the risk of electricity price fluctuations or market volatility in green electricity certificates. - Support for sustainability goals
PPAs help to measurably reduce Scope 2 emissions. Many sustainability standards (e.g. RE100, SBTi) prefer or require the use of additional renewable electricity. - Differentiation from the competition
Companies can actively communicate that they procure renewable energy directly. This can be a strategic advantage in tenders and supply chain audits. In addition, they can score points in employer branding and in the competition for environmentally conscious customer groups.
A strong signal for Europe
With Nordlicht, Vattenfall is consolidating its role as a leading player in offshore wind energy in Europe. The project is accelerating the energy transition in Germany, strengthening the competitiveness of industry and contributing to the achievement of climate targets. It sends a clear signal: large-scale renewable energy projects are essential for a sustainable future.
Do you have any questions about the Northern Lights Cluster? Feel free to contact us!
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