Posted on March 19, 2025
RWE, a global leader in offshore wind energy, is celebrating significant progress in the construction of its 1.4 gigawatt (GW) Sofia offshore wind farm, located on the Dogger Bank off the UK’s east coast.
The project has reached several key milestones in recent months, including the completion of foundation work and the installation of onshore and offshore electrical systems. The next step is the installation of the first turbine, expected in the coming weeks, with the first electricity generation and grid connection scheduled for later this year.Sven Utermöhlen, RWE CEO Offshore Wind said, “Sofia is RWE’s largest offshore construction project globally and remains on track and on budget to generate first power this year. This impressive progress reflects the expertise of our RWE team and the strong support of our supply chain partners, ensuring the successful delivery of flagship projects like Sofia. For the UK particularly, the achievement of these latest milestones demonstrates RWE’s crucial role in deploying offshore wind in support of the UK Government’s Clean Power targets by 2030. Through partnerships with companies like Siemens Gamesa in Hull, RWE is able to support jobs and prosperity within coastal communities and is a tangible example of the value of offshore wind to the UK’s economy.”
A major achievement in the project is the completion of the first recyclable wind turbine blades, marking a significant advancement in lifecycle sustainability. This breakthrough technology, which utilizes an advanced resin system, allows for the efficient separation and reuse of materials, setting a new industry standard. Siemens Gamesa’s Hull facility plays a crucial role in this innovation, having supplied the first recyclable blades for RWE’s Kaskasi offshore wind farm.Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “It is great to see this exciting milestone reached for the Sofia offshore wind farm. Today takes us a step closer to achieving our mission for clean power by 2030, with over a million homes expected to be powered by the cutting-edge turbines of Sofia wind farm. With £6 billion of investment from this project alone, our clean power mission is creating future-proof jobs, making the UK energy secure, and delivering the clean power needed to get bills down for good.”
RWE and Siemens Gamesa’s commitment to local manufacturing not only strengthens the supply chain but also creates job opportunities, further boosting the UK’s renewable energy sector.
