Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements on Vattenfall, Nordex, battery storage tender in Saudi Arabia, among others.
Vattenfall Installs First Monopile at Nordlicht 1 Offshore Wind Farm
Vattenfall has successfully installed the first monopile foundation at its 980-MW Nordlicht 1 offshore wind farm in the German North Sea, marking a major construction milestone for what is set to become Germany’s largest offshore wind project. The installation signals the start of offshore foundation works for the flagship project, which forms part of the wider 1.6-GW Nordlicht offshore wind cluster. Nordlicht 1 will feature 68 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, supported by monopile foundations manufactured by EEW SPC and transition pieces supplied by CS Wind Offshore. The project utilizes advanced offshore wind technology and low-emission materials, including turbine towers partially made from lower-carbon steel, helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of the development. Located approximately 85 km north of Borkum Island, the wind farm is expected to play a crucial role in Germany’s energy transition by delivering large-scale renewable electricity and supporting industrial decarbonization. Once operational in 2028, Nordlicht 1 will contribute significantly to the cluster’s annual generation capacity, supplying clean power to millions of households while strengthening energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The first monopile installation demonstrates continued momentum in Europe’s offshore wind sector and highlights the growing importance of large-scale offshore projects in achieving long-term climate and renewable energy targets.
Nordex Secures 197-MW Wind Turbine Orders in Germany
Nordex Group has secured new orders totaling more than 197 MW in Germany from renewable energy developers ENOVA and BMR Energy Solutions. The contracts reinforce Nordex’s strong position in the German onshore wind market and support the country’s continued expansion of renewable energy capacity. The projects will utilize Nordex’s advanced turbine technology, designed to maximize energy production while improving operational efficiency and reliability. A key innovation of the projects is the deployment of high-performance Delta4000 platform turbines, which offer enhanced energy yield, optimized grid compatibility, and improved performance across varying wind conditions. The agreements also include long-term service and maintenance arrangements, ensuring efficient operations and maximizing asset availability throughout the project lifecycle. The projects will contribute significantly to Germany’s renewable energy goals by increasing clean electricity generation, reducing carbon emissions, and strengthening energy security. They will also support local economic development through investment, employment opportunities, and long-term infrastructure growth. As Germany accelerates its energy transition, these wind farms will play an important role in replacing fossil-fuel-based generation with sustainable power sources. The latest orders further strengthen Nordex’s growing order book and demonstrate continued confidence in its turbine technology as demand for large-scale renewable energy projects expands across Europe.
Saudi Arabia Qualifies 27 Bidders for Massive 12-GWh Battery Storage Tender
Saudi Arabia has prequalified 27 international and regional developers to compete for six large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects totaling 3 GW/12 GWh under the Kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP). The tender, managed by the Saudi Power Procurement Company, is one of the largest battery storage procurement initiatives globally and highlights the country’s accelerating investment in grid-scale energy storage. The tender covers six 500-MW/2,000-MWh battery projects located across the Qassim, Makkah, Madinah, and Eastern Province regions. Qualified bidders include major global energy companies such as Masdar, ACWA Power, EDF, Envision Energy, Tesla, TotalEnergies, and Marubeni Corporation. The projects will provide critical grid-balancing services, enable greater integration of solar and wind power, improve energy security, and enhance the flexibility of Saudi Arabia’s electricity network. The initiative supports the Kingdom’s broader strategy to diversify its energy mix, reduce carbon emissions, and achieve its long-term renewable energy targets under Vision 2030. Once completed, the 12-GWh portfolio will significantly strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading energy storage market in the Middle East.
FAHEEMA P
