DNV confirms Nordseecluster wind farms comply with German offshore regulations

At WindEnergy Hamburg – The global on- & offshore event, DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, awarded Conformity Statements to two German Nordseecluster offshore wind farms (N-3.7 & N-3.8).

Jointly developed by RWE and Northland Power, Nordseecluster has a total capacity of more than 1.5 GW and includes four offshore wind leases north of the German island of Juist.

The certificates awarded by DNV, by which DNV confirms that the design basis of both wind farms meet the BSH standard and are supporting the development of safe and reliable offshore wind farms in Germany, are crucial for the first release by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The wind farms can only go into operation by obtaining full project certification and all BSH releases. 

To meet climate goals, Germany has ambitious targets for the development of offshore wind and is trying to find ways to support the industry with minimal financial subsidies. The country plans to install 30 GW of offshore wind power by 2030, 40 GW by 2035, and 70 GW by 2045. 

“That the Conformity Statements have been awarded to us is a big step for the initial two projects of our Nordseecluster. In general it shows that the industry is maturing and offshore wind is becoming even more reliable and plannable,” explains Benjamin Miethling, representing Northland Power in the Management Board of the Nordseecluster.

“The awarded certificates bring us in a unique position,” adds Sven Schulemann, RWE’s Managing Director of the Nordseecluster. “We will be able to re-use the work for the design basis now and bundle our procurement activities for all four sites of the Nordseecluster.”

“Ensuring that renewable energy projects are realised in a very short time period while delivering safe and reliable energy is critical to further accelerate the energy transition in Germany,” says Kim Sandgaard-Mørk, Executive Vice President of Renewables Certification at DNV. “We are very pleased that our partnership with RWE and Northland Power is making a valuable contribution to reaching that goal and are looking forward to further support the Nordseecluster in the timely delivery of the full project certification for all of their offshore wind projects.”

Fabio Pollicino, Director for Project Certification at DNV adds: “Germany has very ambitious plans for offshore wind and all stakeholders need to get up to speed. As time critical milestones are set by the BSH throughout the project, working in well-aligned partnership between the project developer and certification body is crucial. Each missed deadline causes costly delays. DNV has been able to issue the Conformity Statements in one of the shortest time periods we have ever seen without compromising on quality and safety. This shows that DNV is prepared to support our customers and the energy transition with the much-needed speed.”

*From left to right : Sven Schulemann, Managing Director for Nordseecluster at RWE Fabio Pollicino, Director for Project Certification at DNV Benjamin Miethling, Director Risk Management & Insurance at Northland Power Europe, Nordseecluster Management Board Member Jonathan Faas, Principal Project Manager at DNV