Energy company Vattenfall has officially confirmed the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the full development of the Nordlicht offshore wind cluster, a significant milestone that paves the way for the construction of the largest offshore wind farm in German waters.
Nordlicht offshore wind cluster and two wind farms
The Nordlicht project is divided into two zones: Nordlicht I and Nordlicht II. Both will be developed in the North Sea, north of the island of Borkum, and will have a combined capacity of more than 1.6 gigawatts. This infrastructure will make a substantial contribution to Germany’s climate targets, enabling both households and industry to be supplied with fossil-free energy.
With the final decision, the permit granted by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) for Nordlicht II is also validated, eliminating all outstanding conditions. Vattenfall had received a full FID for Nordlicht I in March 2025, and with this resolution, the entire cluster now has legal approval for construction.
Installation of the monopiles for Nordlicht I is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026, while construction of Nordlicht II will begin one year later. Both wind farms are scheduled to start operations in 2028. As part of its environmental commitments, Vattenfall will use towers partially made of low-emission steel, which will reduce the project’s carbon footprint by approximately 16%.
Catrin Jung, senior vice president and head of Vattenfall’s wind business, emphasized that Nordlicht represents a concrete action towards European energy independence and industrial decarbonization. “This project contributes to building a more resilient system by generating clean energy locally,” she said.
The Swedish company consolidates its position as one of the leading players in offshore wind energy in Europe. In addition to the Nordlicht development, Vattenfall is leading together with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) the Zeevonk project in the Netherlands, with a capacity of 2 GW and integration potential for green hydrogen production.
Source and photo: Vattenfall