Today (Monday, 22nd of August) the topping-off event of the operations building for the 'Wikinger' project was celebrated with the participation of the minister for Energy, Christian Pegel. At this event, Iberdrola also announced its plans to relocate the project corporation to Sassnitz. Simultaneously, the construction for Iberdrola’s first offshore wind park in Germany is proceeding as planned. Currently, the foundation for the building is being put in place at the construction site.
As today’s topping off event clearly demonstrates, the construction of the operations building is taking place according to schedule and is going to be completed towards the end of 2016. The company responsible for the erection of the two storey office building and the adjacent warehouse is the local branch of the company GOLDBECK in Rostock. As of next year, Iberdrola will use the building at the port's new berth 'one' for the operation and maintenance of its 70 wind turbines.
The installation of the turbines will commence at the beginning of 2017 following the completion of the foundations which are currently being installed. More than two thirds of the 286 piles as well as the first jackets have already been installed. The substation is expected to arrive this August ahead of its installation at the site.
Planned relocation of the Wikinger Corporation to Sassnitz
Jürgen Blume, director of Iberdrola Renovables Offshore Deutschland GmbH announced the plans to relocate the corporation to Sassnitz at the topping off event: "We have always been emphasizing that we do not only aim to construct a wind farm in the Baltic Sea but see ourselves as part of the region." He added: "The team’s engagement as well as professionalism of our partners and the responsible authorities has so far enabled us to stick to our schedule”
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s minister for Energy, Infrastructure and State Development Christian Pegel: "This is a good day for the business location Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. By relocating the Wikinger project to Sassnitz Iberdrola is following words with deeds and creates conditions for several reliable and long term jobs in this region. The turnaround in energy policy is a huge opportunity for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This is where it becomes apparent, that these are not just empty promises. Henceforward, I hope that the construction of the wind park and office buildings will proceed similarly swiftly so the next wind farm in the Baltic Sea can generate clean energy in order to contribute to a sustainable energy supply in Germany."
Frank Kracht: "As mayor of the city Sassnitz I am glad, that the first step towards the long term operation of Iberdrola’s service station has been implemented today. Iberdrola’s decision to relocate their site to Sassnitz shows, that the company is striving to become a part of Sassnitz and that the city of Sassnitz has been able to offer good conditions for this step."
About the project
With investments totaling roughly 1.4 Billion Euro, the Wikinger project is of great economic importance throughout the entirety of the value chain. Hundreds of jobs are linked to its construction. When put into operation, the wind farm will generate 350 megawatts of clean energy for over 350,000 households which equates to 20% of the total energy consumption of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
For more information please visit http://wikingeroffshorewindfarm.de/