RWE has installed the first turbine at the 1.1-gigawatt Thor offshore wind farm off Denmark’s west coast near Jutland. Installation works are taking place from the Port of Esbjerg, with the Fred. Olsen Windcarrier vessel Brave Tern able to transport and install three turbine sets per cycle.

A total of 72 Siemens Gamesa turbines, each with a capacity of up to 15 megawatts, will be installed by the end of 2026. Each turbine rises approximately 148 metres above sea level, with rotor blades measuring up to 115 metres in length.

Thor is set to become the first offshore wind farm worldwide to use CO2-reduced steel towers, with 36 towers manufactured by Siemens Gamesa using a lower carbon footprint. Some turbines will also feature recyclable rotor blades, marking a pioneering step toward lifecycle sustainability and supporting RWE’s broader sustainability ambitions.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, said: “Large-scale construction projects at sea require teamwork, precision, and a clear commitment to safety — qualities our teams demonstrate daily at Thor. With the first turbine now installed, we have reached an important milestone in delivering Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm. Once fully commissioned, Thor will play a crucial role in Denmark’s climate goals and strengthen the EU’s energy independence.”

The project is progressing according to plan. The offshore substation and all foundations for the turbines were installed last year, and the project recently obtained a 30-year electricity production licence from the Danish Energy Agency, a key prerequisite for commissioning works.

When fully operational in 2027, Thor will generate enough electricity to power over one million Danish homes. The operations and maintenance plan will create 50 to 60 local jobs at a new RWE service building at the Port of Thorsminde, officially opening in March.