Germany's largest geothermal search launches in the Ruhr area

EnBW has completed the installation of its largest offshore wind farm in Germany, known as “He Dreiht,” located approximately 110 kilometers west of the island of Helgoland in the North Sea. The project includes 64 wind turbines with a hub height of 142 meters, and represents a total investment of around 2.4 billion euros. The company announced that most of the turbines have already been connected to the grid, with full operation expected by late summer. With an installed capacity of 960 megawatts, the wind park is among the largest in Europe and could supply electricity to approximately one million households annually. The wind farm features turbines with rotor blades measuring 236 meters in diameter, each sweeping an area equivalent to six football fields during a rotation. The facility is connected to the power grid via a converter station at sea and two high-voltage cables, 120 kilometers underwater and 110 kilometers on land. This setup allows for efficient energy transmission over long distances. “He Dreiht” marks EnBW’s fifth offshore wind project, doubling the company’s offshore generating capacity from 976 megawatts to nearly 1,950 megawatts. Unlike many other offshore projects in Germany, “He Dreiht” operates under long-term purchase agreements with major corporations such as Google, Bosch, Salzgitter, Deutsche Bahn, and Fraport, rather than relying on government subsidies under the Renewable Energy Act. This model reflects a shift toward market-driven energy production, reducing dependency on state support while ensuring stable revenue streams for the operator. However, challenges persist within the sector. Earlier this year, a 20-meter section of a turbine blade broke off and drifted into the sea, prompting an investigation by the manufacturer Vestas. EnBW confirmed that the incident was being examined, though no further details were released. Such incidents highlight ongoing technical and operational risks associated with large-scale offshore wind farms. Despite these hurdles, EnBW’s leadership has expressed concerns about the economic viability of expanding offshore wind capacity. Georg Stamatelopoulos, the company’s CEO, recently urged the federal government to reconsider its targets for offshore wind expansion. He argued that costs have risen significantly, with prices increasing by 30 to 40 percent compared to five years ago. This includes rising expenses for wind turbines, logistics, and cable installations. As a result, he proposed limiting new projects to 55 gigawatts initially before reassessing future plans. Germany’s current legislative goal is to expand offshore wind capacity to at least 30 gigawatts by 2030 and reach 70 gigawatts by 2045. However, as of June, only 1,764 offshore wind turbines with a combined installed capacity of roughly 10.8 gigawatts were operational. Planned projects through 2035 aim to add another 41 gigawatts, bringing the total closer to the government’s target. Yet, the path to achieving these goals remains uncertain due to financial pressures and shifting market dynamics. Earlier this year, EnBW withdrew from two offshore wind projects in the Irish Sea, “Morgan” and “Mona”, due to the lack of continued public funding. The decision led to an extraordinary depreciation charge of 1.2 billion euros. These developments underscore the growing financial risks faced by developers in the renewable energy sector, even as demand for clean power continues to rise.