Substation Installed at Denmark’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm

The 1 GW Thor offshore wind farm, located 22 kilometers off the west coast of Jutland in the Danish North Sea, has advanced with the successful installation of its jacket foundation and substation topside. The project is a collaboration between RWE, owning 51%, and Norges Bank Investment Management, holding 49%.

The 2,600-tonne substation topside, measuring 39 meters in length and 18 meters in height, was transported from HSM Offshore Energy’s yard in Schiedam, Netherlands. The heavy-lift vessel Gulliver, operated by Scaldis SMC, completed the offshore installation, positioning the topside alongside the 2,500-tonne jacket foundation. HSM Offshore Energy, under a 2022 contract with RWE, handled the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning of these components.

The substation will serve as the central hub, collecting electricity generated by Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD wind turbines and converting it to transmission-level voltage for integration into Denmark’s national grid. In June 2025, Energinet, the Danish transmission system operator, finalized the grid connection infrastructure, ensuring seamless power delivery.

Installation efforts continue, with 36 of the planned 72 monopiles already placed in the Danish North Sea. These monopiles provide the foundation for the wind turbines, advancing the project toward its target of full operation by 2027.

An RWE representative stated: “The installation of the substation topside and jacket foundation is a key milestone in the Thor project, bringing us closer to delivering sustainable energy to Denmark. We are dedicated to supporting the region’s renewable energy ambitions through this initiative.”

The Thor offshore wind farm is poised to contribute significantly to Denmark’s renewable energy goals, enhancing energy security and reducing carbon emissions. The project reflects a commitment to leveraging advanced technology and international partnerships to drive the global transition to clean energy.