Germany's most ambitious wind energy project is taking a significant leap forward, marking a pivotal moment in the country's renewable energy journey. And this is the part most people miss: the official permit for the Nordlicht II offshore wind farm, granted by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), has now become final and legally binding. This breakthrough means Vattenfall has officially committed to the complete investment for the entire Nordlicht offshore wind cluster—which includes both Nordlicht I and Nordlicht II—by confirming the full Final Investment Decision (FID).
Preparations for construction are set to kick off in 2026, with Nordlicht I poised to become Germany’s largest offshore wind project yet. The installation of monopiles—the massive steel foundations needed to support the turbines—on Nordlicht I is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year. Nordlicht II will follow roughly a year later. Both wind farms are expected to be operational by 2028, signaling a major boost to Germany’s energy transition efforts and contributing to industrial decarbonization with a combined capacity exceeding 1.6 gigawatts.
Earlier, in March 2025, Vattenfall had made a conditional FID for Nordlicht I and for Nordlicht II, pending the successful acquisition of the necessary permit for the latter. Today’s approval, which confirms the permit is irrevocable, removes that condition, solidifying the project's financial and operational commitments. The planning approval for Nordlicht II, granted by BSH in October 2025, provided the legal foundation needed to begin construction.
Catrin Jung, Senior Vice President and Head of Vattenfall’s Wind Business Area, emphasizes the importance of this milestone: “Securing the irrevocable permit and finalizing our full investment decision is a landmark achievement for Nordlicht. This project isn’t just about increasing offshore wind capacity; it’s about bolstering Europe's competitiveness and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. By generating clean, locally-produced electricity, we are helping to build a more resilient and sustainable energy system. Alongside our partners, we are dedicated to delivering a project that will power homes and industries with fossil-free energy for many decades to come.”
In line with Vattenfall’s commitment to sustainability, both wind farms will incorporate turbine towers built partly from low-emission steel, which will cut their overall carbon footprint by approximately 16 percent. This approach reflects the company’s broader goal of integrating environmentally friendly practices into large-scale renewable infrastructure.
Vattenfall remains one of Europe’s leading offshore wind developers. Last year, it, together with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), secured an irrevocable permit for the Zeevonk offshore wind farm in the Netherlands. With a planned capacity of 2 gigawatts, Zeevonk will also support Dutch industry by producing green hydrogen, further underscoring Vattenfall’s role in advancing renewable energy solutions across the continent.
For more details about this groundbreaking project, visit: Vattenfall builds Germany’s largest offshore wind farm - Vattenfall [link].
For media inquiries, please contact:
- Vattenfall Media Relations, phone: +46 (0)8739 50 10, email: press@vattenfall.com
- Maja Schubert, phone: +49 170 325 0901, email: maja.schubert@vattenfall.de
Attachments include detailed press releases and images of the project and key personnel.
