Two offshore wind projects being developed by German company, Energiekontor, are expected to make significant progress over coming months.
The developer hopes to achieve financial close by mid-2013 for the Nordergründe offshore wind station.
Originally designed to feature 5MW turbines, Energiekontor later amended its plans and the 18-turbine project will now boast REpower 6.15MW machines. This will bring Nordergründe’s total capacity to 110.7MW.
The wind station will be built 15km north east of the island of Wangerooge in the Jade estuary, where the river Weser flows into the North Sea. Transmission system operator TenneT has pledged to ensure the installation of a cable connection to shore by 2014.
Meanwhile, Energiekontor is anticipating a decision before the end of the year on its application for a construction permit for its Borkum Riffgrund West 2 expansion phase.
The 43-turbine project is being considered by the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. Should a permit be issued, Energiekontor hopes to begin construction in 2017 or 2018. If 5MW turbines are installed, the station would have a capacity of 215MW.
Another option available to Energiekontor is to sell Borkum Riffgrund West 2 expansion phase. In November 2011, it sold the 400MW Borkum Riffgrund West 1 pilot phase to Dong Energy, for approximately €30m.
