Iberdrola has today announced the start of construction of its Wikinger Offshore Windfarm, with an official plaque unveiling ahead of site works beginning next week. The €1.4 billion renewable energy project will produce enough power for 350,000 German households and is already benefitting the regional economy with several major contracts awarded to local companies.

The formal ceremony, attended by Christian Pegel, Minister for Energy, Infrastructure and Regional Development from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and almost 100 local dignitaries and suppliers, followed an intensive 16 month period of component fabrication to allow for the wind turbine foundations and piles to begin to be installed using the specialist Giant 7 Vessel that will be mobilize from Rostock next week.

Turbine manufacture is now also underway at Adwen’s facilities in Stade and Bremerhaven, preparing 70 devices, each generating 5 megawatts – the most powerful ever to be used on an Iberdrola project world-wide.

Maximising local benefits

Iberdrola is continuing to maximise the benefits created by Wikinger, working with German contractors and subcontractors to deliver the project.

The Offshore Terminal of the Port of Sassnitz-Mukran is being transformed into the heart of the project and will soon be home to a first-of-its kind Operations and Maintenance Centre, constructed by Rostock company GOLDBECK. The two-storey building and warehouse will support up to 100 direct and indirect long-term skilled jobs in the local area.

Progress to date

Following foundation and pile installation, which starts in the coming days, the Offshore Sub Station is nearing completion. It will be one of the largest of its kind, measuring 60 metres long by 22 metres wide, weighing over 4,800 tonnes. Sailing from Cadiz, Spain, it will arrive in the Baltic Sea ready for installation in summer. To prepare for turbines arriving on site at the start of 2017, the array cables will first be installed. By the end of 2017 construction activities will be complete and the site will be fully commissioned.

Significance of Wikinger

The Wikinger project is part of the Iberdrola’s commitment to developing a strong portfolio of offshore wind assets and will be the first of its type for the company in German waters.

Investing in strategic markets with clear opportunities for growth, it plays a significant role in the Group’s investments over the next two years.

Tanis Rey-Baltar, Iberdrola project director for Wikinger, commented: “Construction commencing is a momentous sign of progress for the Wikinger project and is a fantastic milestone to reach after years of detailed design work and technical engineering studies.

“Over the coming months the Offshore Terminal at the Port of Sassnitz will be transformed into an energy hub as components that have been made in Germany are prepared for installation.

“We would like to thank the wide range of local and regional companies that have supported the planning stages and will now support the construction activities in the coming months. Facing water depths of up to 43 metres and using industry-leading installation methods requires skill and experience and we look forward to the progressing what will be a significant project for both Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Germany.”

Chrisitan Pegel, Minister for Energy, Infrastructure and Regional Development, said: “Today demonstrates two things: firstly, the energy revolution is in full swing and secondly, for Germany, this is creating tremendous value.

“Here at the Port of Sassnitz, Iberdrola has concluded an agreement for use of the facility for 25 years. In addition to securing revenue during this period, about 100 jobs will be supported and the port will provide additional services through support vessels for the windfarm.

“Today is a good day for the transformation of energy and for local businesses in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.”