960 MW Wind Farm Marks Milestone for Germany’s Offshore Wind Sector
German energy company EnBW announced on August 13 that the installation of all 64 wind turbines at the He Dreiht offshore wind farm in the North Sea has been completed, marking a key milestone in the construction of Germany’s largest offshore wind project. The wind farm has a total installed capacity of 960 MW, utilizing Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, each with a 15 MW capacity—among the world’s largest offshore wind turbines. EnBW stated that the wind farm is expected to achieve full commercial operation by late summer this year, supplying electricity to approximately 1.1 million households.
The He Dreiht wind farm is located in the North Sea, approximately 85 kilometers northwest of Borkum Island and 110 kilometers west of Heligoland Island, with a total investment of around 2.4 billion euros. As Germany’s first large-scale offshore wind farm built without government subsidies, the project demonstrates the country’s technical expertise and market-driven capabilities in offshore wind power. EnBW revealed that the majority of the wind farm’s electricity output has been secured through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), with negotiations underway for the remaining capacity.
The wind farm is currently undergoing technical and electrical system testing in preparation for full operation. EnBW emphasized that this phase will ensure the safe and stable operation of all turbines and transmission systems, providing a reliable source of green energy for Germany’s energy transition. According to EnBW’s estimates, once fully operational, the wind farm will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 2.5 million tons annually, equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.2 million cars.
Record-Breaking Turbine Capacity Amid Investigation into Blade Damage
The He Dreiht wind farm utilizes Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, each featuring blades measuring 115.5 meters in length, with a swept area equivalent to seven standard football fields. The deployment of these large-scale turbines has enabled the wind farm to achieve nearly 1 GW of capacity with just 64 turbines, significantly reducing the number of turbines and the scale of maritime engineering required compared to earlier 3 to 8 MW models. However, the upscaling of turbines has also introduced new technical challenges, including increased complexity in transportation, installation, and maintenance.
In late July, EnBW discovered damage to the rotor blade of one turbine at the wind farm. The cause of the damage is currently under investigation by manufacturer Vestas. EnBW stated that the cause remains undetermined but emphasized that the incident has not affected the overall construction timeline. The blades of the Vestas 15 MW turbines weigh over 50 tons each, and in the harsh offshore environment, repairs for turbine failures are more difficult and costly than those for onshore turbines. To address these challenges, the He Dreiht project incorporated offshore operation and maintenance requirements during the design phase and established a comprehensive monitoring system to ensure long-term stable operation.
Germany’s Energy Transition Gains Momentum with Green Power Boost
The German government has been actively promoting its energy transition, with a goal to increase offshore wind capacity to 30 GW by 2030. The progress of the He Dreiht wind farm not only highlights Germany’s leadership in offshore wind technology but also provides a valuable reference for future large-scale wind farm developments. EnBW indicated that the wind farm is expected to commence full commercial operation by late summer following the completion of final system testing, injecting a stable supply of green electricity into Germany’s grid.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s offshore wind sector has also made significant strides. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as of June 2026, Taiwan has completed the installation of over 500 offshore wind turbines, with a cumulative installed capacity of 4.8 GW. As global offshore wind technology continues to advance, the adoption of large-scale turbines will further enhance wind farm efficiency, reduce electricity generation costs, and provide stronger momentum for the energy transitions of countries worldwide.
