Iberdrola says that its first offshore wind farm in Germany will be commissioned in 2016.
The Spanish energy company has started the detailed engineering phase of the €1.6 billion Wikinger wind farm, which will be one of the world’s largest deep water offshore projects.
The 400 MW wind farm will consist of up to 80 wind turbines located 30 km off the coast of the German island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. The turbines will be installed in water depths of over 40 m.
Iberdrola is planning to use engineers and project managers from its offshore business division in the UK to help deliver the project, construction of which is scheduled to start in 2015. By the end of 2012 Iberdrola will have spent €50 million on the project.
The company says that it has been working with the authorities in Germany to ensure that the grid connections for the project will be delivered on time. “The clarity and speed of the process … has allowed us to commit to this kind of significant investment,” said Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of ScottishPower Renewables and Iberdrola’s Global Offshore Division. “We are now seeking further clarification on the tariff regime post-2017.”
Iberdrola said in a statement that the project will utilise jacket foundations as well as larger wind turbines than had originally been envisaged.
It acquired the rights to develop Wikinger from a joint venture of DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien and Ventotec. At the time, the project’s preliminary construction permit included floating foundations.
Iberdrola is planning to gain all consents for the project by early 2014.
