The Gode Wind 3 Offshore Wind Farm, a joint venture between Ørsted and Nuveen Infrastructure, has officially commenced commercial operations, delivering renewable energy to approximately 250,000 households in Germany.
Final testing was successfully completed on 28 February 2025, marking Gode Wind 3 as Ørsted’s fifth operational offshore wind farm in Germany. With an installed capacity of 253 MW, it will be followed by the larger 913 MW Borkum Riffgrund 3 project, where the final wind turbine was installed in early January.
Gode Wind 3 - Construction Details
Construction of Gode Wind 3 began in August 2023 with the installation of the first foundation. The wind farm consists of 23 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines, each with a capacity of 11 MW. These turbines, featuring a rotor diameter of 200 meters, are currently the largest operational wind turbines in German waters. Compared to previous 8 MW models, this new generation of turbines delivers up to 40% more annual energy output.
The electricity generated at Gode Wind 3 is transmitted via an offshore substation and a converter station operated by TenneT, the German transmission system operator (TSO). The power enters Germany’s extra-high voltage grid in Lower Saxony, while operations are managed from Ørsted’s hub in the port of Norden-Norddeich. The wind farm will generate revenue at a weighted average price of EUR 81 per MWh.
Innovation in Offshore Wind Installation
In a significant step towards reducing environmental impact, Ørsted implemented a new installation method for three of the monopile foundations, eliminating the need for traditional pile driving. This innovative approach has resulted in a substantial reduction in underwater noise levels, improving sustainability in offshore wind construction (see video below for further details – courtesy of orsted.com)
Gode Wind 3 exemplifies international collaboration, with contributions from contractors and suppliers across Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and France. The project’s success highlights the importance of European cooperation in advancing renewable energy solutions.
Expansion of Germany's Offshore Wind Sector
Following the completion of offshore construction and commissioning, the wind farm is now fully operational, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to expanding its offshore wind capacity.
With the addition of Gode Wind 3, Ørsted now supplies offshore wind-generated electricity to approximately 1.6 million households across Germany. The company remains a market leader, operating nearly 20% of the country’s total offshore wind capacity.
Nuveen Infrastructure, a global infrastructure investment manager, oversees more than USD 30 billion in assets. Across its renewable energy portfolio, which exceeds 7.6 GW, Nuveen Infrastructure is capable of supplying power to over four million homes.
Leadership comments on the project
Patrick Harnett, Chief Operating Officer at Ørsted, emphasized the importance of offshore wind in Germany’s energy transition: “Offshore wind is a key technology in Germany’s transition to green energy. With the completion of Gode Wind 3, Ørsted now has five operational offshore wind farms in the German part of the North Sea, producing homegrown renewable energy at large scale. We’ll further expand our supply of green power to German households and businesses when our next offshore wind farm, Borkum Riffgrund 3, comes online in 2026.”
Jordi Francesch, Managing Director of Renewable Energy Investments at Nuveen Infrastructure, remarked on the successful collaboration with Ørsted: “We are thrilled to announce the successful commencement of operations at the Gode Wind 3 Offshore Wind Farm, a landmark achievement in our partnership with Ørsted. This milestone underscores our shared commitment to advancing renewable and independent energy solutions and delivering sustainable value for society, the environment, and our investors.”
Felix Gschnell, Programme Director for Gode Wind 3, acknowledged the efforts behind the project’s completion: “I’m very proud to see that Gode Wind 3 now completely feeds in power to the German grid, having started its full commercial operation. Completing this project in a challenging industry environment has been a massive effort for our team and our entire supply chain – to whom I would like to say a big thank you.”
