Borkum Riffgrund 3, the 913MW offshore wind farm jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure, has entered commercial operation in Germany, marking the completion of one of the country’s largest offshore wind projects currently in operation, according to Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure.
Located around 72 kilometres off the German coast in the North Sea, the project comprises 83 wind turbines, each with a nominal capacity of 11MW, and covers an area of approximately 75 square kilometres. The project is expected to supply renewable electricity to German industrial and technology customers, supporting demand from sectors including the chemical industry and the digital economy.
The start of commercial operations marks another milestone in Ørsted’s 8.1GW construction programme. Once its projects currently under construction are completed, Ørsted’s total installed offshore wind capacity will exceed 18GW.
Long-term PPAs with German industrial and technology companies
Borkum Riffgrund 3 is backed by a portfolio of long-term corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed by Ørsted with industrial and technology customers.
The agreements cover a combined 786MW of capacity and include Amazon (350MW), BASF (186MW), Covestro (100MW), Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft/REWE Group (100MW) and Google (50MW).
The PPAs have terms ranging from 10 to 25 years and are intended to provide a long-term supply of renewable electricity to data centres, retail operations and the chemical industry, while supporting industrial decarbonisation and long-term price visibility for customers and companies in Germany.
European supply chain
The wind farm has drawn on a European supply chain, with turbines and foundations supplied from Germany and Denmark, cables from Germany and France, and installation vessels from the Netherlands and Belgium.
Around 100 German companies were contracted during construction, according to Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure.
Patrick Harnett, Chief Construction Officer at Ørsted, said the completion of Borkum Riffgrund 3 represents a landmark offshore wind project for Germany and Europe and another step in the company’s 8.1GW construction portfolio.
He also stressed the importance of stable and predictable regulatory frameworks to support further offshore wind investment, energy resilience and employment across Europe.
Jordi Francesch, Global Head of Clean Energy Asset Management at Nuveen Infrastructure, said the project’s commercial operation demonstrates the scale of the investment manager’s clean energy projects. He highlighted the long-term PPAs signed with Ørsted and the project’s partners, which he said contribute to industrial decarbonisation and long-term price visibility for consumers and businesses in Germany.
Ørsted reaches around 2.5GW of offshore wind in Germany
Borkum Riffgrund 3 becomes Ørsted’s sixth operational offshore wind farm in Germany, following the 253MW Gode Wind 3, which entered operation in early 2025 and is also jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure.
Ørsted says it is Germany’s leading offshore wind operator, with approximately 25% of the country’s installed offshore wind capacity.
With Borkum Riffgrund 3 now operational, Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in Germany rises to approximately 2.5GW, enough to supply renewable electricity to around 2.5 million homes.
Operations and maintenance for Borkum Riffgrund 3 and Ørsted’s existing German offshore wind portfolio are carried out from Norden-Norddeich and Emden, using the offshore wind infrastructure and network in Lower Saxony.
Josche Muth, Managing Director of Ørsted Germany, said the project demonstrates how large-scale domestic renewable generation can contribute to Germany’s energy security, adding that Borkum Riffgrund 3 is currently supplying electricity to German industry.
Felix Gschnell, Programme Director for Borkum Riffgrund 3 at Ørsted, described the completion as an important milestone for Germany’s offshore wind industry and highlighted the contribution of suppliers and Ørsted’s project team.
Project ownership and scale
Borkum Riffgrund 3 is jointly owned by Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure. Nuveen Infrastructure manages more than $40 billion in assets under management, according to the company.
The project covers approximately 75 square kilometres and is located around 72 kilometres from the German coast. Its 83 turbines provide a combined installed capacity of 913MW.
Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure said the project strengthens Germany’s domestic renewable electricity generation while contributing to the country’s energy security and the decarbonisation of industrial and technology customers.