German utility RWE has begun installation work at its 1.1GW Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea, marking a key milestone in what will become Denmark’s largest offshore wind project to date.
The first of 72 monopile foundations has been successfully installed at the site, located approximately 22 kilometers off the west coast of Jutland. The monopile, weighing up to 1,500 tonnes and measuring around 100 metres, was transported from the heavy-duty terminal in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, and installed using the specialist vessel Les Alizés, which can carry five monopiles per trip.
“With Thor, we are building Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm to date,” said Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind. “After years of planning and preparation, the installation of the first monopile is a symbolic moment and great success for the entire RWE team.”
The wind farm will feature 72 turbines, with construction activities supported by multiple Danish ports. Secondary steel structures for the foundations are being handled in Thyborøn, which also serves as a logistics and control centre for marine traffic during the construction phase.
To protect the foundation structures before turbine installation, reusable covers are being used to shield them from harsh marine conditions. In a move to improve the project’s sustainability, 36 of the turbines will be constructed using lower-carbon steel and 40 will be fitted with recyclable rotor blades.
Turbine installation is scheduled to begin in 2026 from the port of Esbjerg. Once operational in 2027, the Thor wind farm is expected to provide enough electricity to power over one million Danish households.
RWE’s long-term operations plan includes a new service building under construction in the port of Thorsminde. The facility, set for completion by the end of 2025, will house 50 to 60 permanent roles dedicated to the wind farm’s maintenance and operation.
