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RWE has received the final go-ahead from the Danish Energy Agency for the offshore construction of Denmark’s largest offshore wind project, the Thor Wind Farm. With this approval, RWE is set to begin offshore construction in spring 2025. The Thor project, boasting a substantial 1.1 gigawatt (GW) capacity, is anticipated to provide enough renewable electricity to power over one million Danish households when fully operational by 2027.
According to Thomas Michel, RWE Offshore Wind’s Chief Operating Officer, Thor represents not only Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm but also a strategic investment in sustainable technology. “With our Thor project,” Michel notes, “we are delivering Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm to date. But it is not just the size of the project that makes us ambitious. We are also leading the way with investments in new sustainable technology with recyclable rotor blades and turbine towers made of greener steel.” Michel highlights Denmark’s commitment to renewables, positioning Thor as an integral part of the country’s pioneering energy landscape.
Progress is already underway onshore, where RWE has started the cable-laying process and is constructing an onshore substation in Lemvig. This infrastructure is essential to Thor’s operation, connecting the offshore turbines to Denmark’s power grid. In early 2025, RWE will begin seabed preparations, with foundation installations set to follow in spring, aligning with the project’s strategic timelines. Turbine installation, a crucial step in Thor’s construction, is planned for 2026.
Located about 22 kilometers off Jutland’s west coast, Thor will feature 72 advanced SG 14-236 DD turbines. Forty of these turbines will incorporate recyclable rotor blades, while 36 will stand atop towers constructed from CO2-reduced steel. This blend of technologies underscores RWE’s commitment to minimizing the environmental footprint of its offshore assets. Key logistical operations for the turbine installations will be centered at the Port of Esbjerg, while the nearby port of Thorsminde will serve as a base for ongoing maintenance and operations. RWE also plans to develop a dedicated service building in Thorsminde, a move expected to generate 50-60 local jobs.
Thor is not RWE’s first Danish venture; the company already operates the Rødsand 2 offshore wind farm. Globally, RWE is working on several major offshore projects, including the UK’s Sofia Wind Farm (1.4 GW), the Nordseecluster (1.6 GW) off Germany, and the OranjeWind project (795 MW) in partnership with TotalEnergies in the Netherlands. With these projects, RWE is positioning itself as a leading player in the global offshore wind sector, with a target to triple its offshore wind capacity from 3.3 GW to 10 GW by 2030.
As the Danish offshore wind sector continues to expand, Thor stands as a landmark project, symbolizing Denmark’s forward-looking approach to renewable energy and setting a benchmark for sustainable construction practices in offshore wind.
Source:RWE Media Centre
