Swedish energy group Vattenfall has acquired Northern Energy GlobalTech II, which owns Global Tech II offshore wind development project in the German North Sea.

Recently, Vattenfall has acquired Northern Energy from Erste Nordsee-Offshore, a joint subsidiary of Austrian Strabag and indirectly Etanax, for undisclosed amount.

Located about 85km north of the island of Borkum, the project will feature about 79 turbines to produce clean electricity.

The acquisition is in line with Vattenfall’s growth strategy to boost its renewable energy production capacity in the coming years.

Vattenfall senior vice-president and business area wind head Gunnar Groebler said: “The acquisition underlines once more that our growth ambitions in wind are under full steam.

“As a company we are on a good way to reshape our generation portfolio towards more renewable energies in all our markets.”

The project realization is subject to securing a capacity contract in Germany’s tendering process.

The German government plans to launch its first wind power auction in March 2017 followed by the second one in March 2018.

Groebler added: “With Global Tech II we also send a signal that we strongly believe in the German market.

“In particular we consider the new German tender system beneficial to the development of wind as it is more cost efficient, which will also lead to further acceptance of this effective and renewable power generation.”

Vattenfall’s wind power arm operates more than 1,000 wind turbines totaling 2 GW. By 2020 it anticipates to double its wind capacity to 4 GW.


Image: The GlobalTech II offshore wind farm will feature about 79 turbines. Photo: courtesy of STRABAG SE.