RWE wind farm investment

German energy company, RWE Innogy, has announced the acquisition of renewable energy group ENOVA’s project company, ENOVA Energieanlagen.

The deal will include the offshore wind project North Sea Windpower 3 (NSWP3), which is to be renamed Innogy Nordsee 1.

Upon approval next year, the planned offshore wind farm will be the largest off the German coast with an estimated 960MW capacity.

The €2.8bn (£2.6bn) wind farm will cover an area of 150km2, 40km north of Juist island.

The first wind turbines are expected to start running by 2011, with the project scheduled for completion in 2015.

RWE sees this investment as part of its long-term commitment to help the German government achieve its renewable energy goals.

By 2012, RWE hopes to displace up to 15 million tonnes of CO₂ per year and secure a renewable energy capacity of around 4,500MW.

Prof Fritz Vahrenholt, chief executive of RWE Innogy, said: ‘In Germany, the construction of an offshore wind farm is a very ambitious project due to the high requirements.

'In contrast to other North Sea countries, we have to build comparatively far off the coast in deep waters.

'This requires the highest demands for planning, implementation and technology.

‘I am therefore pleased that we are moving ahead with such an important project, particularly in Germany, with ENOVA and above all Helmuth Bruemmer as a partner.

'I am sure that we have the right team on board to cope with this challenging task.’

In November, RWE Innogy acquired 50 per cent in the British offshore wind farm Greater Gabbard, which will have a capacity totalling 500MW.

The group also runs the 60MW offshore wind farm in North Hoyle off the coast of Wales and is building the 90MW Rhyl Flats wind farm, also off the Wales coast.