First power generated at 332MW Nordsee One offshore wind farm in North Sea

First electricity has been generated from the 332MW Nordsee One offshore wind farm, located off the German coast in the North Sea.

The wind farm will have in total of 54 turbines, each with a power producing capacity of 6.15MW. Already, seven turbines have been installed. The first turbine installed at the wind farm is now under trail operations.

One of the owners of the project, Innogy stated that the complete installation and commissioning of the wind farm is expected to take place by the end of 2017.

Innogy noted that the first turbine at the wind farm has started generating electricity and it is already being fed to the electricity grid.

Nordsee One offshore wind farm is located 40km from the shore and is spread in an area of 35km². The turbines are supported with grounded monopiles which are anchored at depths up to 29m.

Turbines for the wind farm have been supplied by Senvion, which have a nominal capacity of 6.2MW. While the hub height for each structure is 90m, the rotor diameter stands at 126m.

When fully operational, the offshore wind farm will produce enough energy to supply electricity to at least 235,000 German homes, while offsetting more than 470,000 tonnes of CO2 and 11,000 tonnes of SO2 per year. The life expectancy of the project is 25 years.

Financial close for the project was achieved in March, 2015. The installation of the foundation monopiles and transition pieces along with the offshore substation and infield cables was completed in 2016.

Nordsee One chief operating officer Tim Kittelhake said: “The generation of first power represents the achievement of an essential project milestone.

“With this accomplishment behind us, we remain focused on the work ahead of us over the coming months.”

Nordsee One chief financial officer Pierre Lestienne said: “Turbine installation will continue in parallel with the progressive commissioning of the wind turbines.

“To date we have successfully installed seven wind turbines on schedule and on budget.”

Image: Turbines being installed at Nordsee One in German North Sea. Photo: Courtesy of Innogy.