Germany Launches 960 MW He Dreiht Offshore Wind Farm
On September 17, 2026, Germany inaugurated the He Dreiht offshore wind farm, featuring 64 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines. This project, located in the North Sea, has an installed capacity of 960 MW, capable of supplying renewable energy to over one million households annually. The wind farm represents a significant step forward in Germany's renewable energy initiatives.
The He Dreiht offshore wind farm, situated about 90 kilometers northwest of Borkum in the German North Sea, was officially inaugurated on September 17, 2026. Developed by EnBW and its partners, it is now Germany's largest offshore wind project, powered by 64 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines. With a total output of 960 megawatts (MW), the site generates enough renewable energy to support more than one million households for a year, representing a major shift in the national energy transition.
Work on the project began in May 2024 and introduced several advancements in offshore wind technology. Each of the 64 turbines has a 15 MW capacity, with a hub height of 142 meters and a rotor diameter of 236 meters. These units are designed for high energy yields; just one rotation can provide a day’s worth of electricity to four households. Building the farm required coordinating over 60 vessels and a workforce that exceeded 500 people during peak periods.
The opening ceremony was attended by various political and business figures, including Carsten Schneider, the Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety. He Dreiht is notable for its scale and for being built without state subsidies. EnBW arranged 600 million euros in long-term financing for the project, which had an estimated total cost of 2.4 billion euros, signaling a move toward market-driven sustainable finance.
Planning for the farm included a detailed environmental impact assessment to protect the sensitive North Sea habitat. These findings were released to the public as part of an effort toward transparency and ecological care. The project is expected to help Germany meet its renewable energy targets by lowering the demand for fossil fuels and addressing broader climate concerns.
In the coming years, He Dreiht will be a central part of the energy landscape, contributing to job creation and economic activity in the renewable sector. Long-term power purchase agreements are already established with partners including Fraport, Evonik, and Google, extending the project's reach across the economy. As investment in infrastructure continues, projects like this will be fundamental to reaching energy transition goals and promoting sustainable practices.
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