Offshore Energy Vessel, Thor Substation, Completed with Cargo Shipment
The Thor offshore wind farm, set to become Denmark's largest with a capacity of 1,080 megawatts, is progressing well and is on track to supply electricity to over one million Danish homes when completed in 2027[1][2].
**Infrastructure and Construction**
The operations and maintenance (O&M) base at Thorsminde port is nearing completion, with a 2,300 square meter building expected to be finished by the end of 2025. From spring 2026, service vessels will ferry technicians and staff daily to the turbines from this base, creating 50 to 60 permanent local jobs and supporting the wind farm for at least 30 years[1][2][4].
Foundation and cable installation works are underway, with turbine installation expected to start in 2026[1][2][4]. The jacket for the Thor offshore high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) substation—a large steel structure weighing 2,600 metric tons—was recently loaded onto a barge at HSM Offshore Energy’s Schiedam yard in the Netherlands. Installation of the jacket and substation is scheduled for 2025, with commissioning and testing in 2026 ahead of operation starting in late 2026[3].
**Innovative Turbines and Collaboration**
Thor will feature 72 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD wind turbines, with installation expected to begin in 2026[4]. These turbines are notable for several innovations: they have steel towers manufactured with a significantly lower carbon footprint, and half of the turbines will be equipped with recyclable rotor blades, marking a world first for offshore wind farms[1][2].
HSM Offshore Energy is responsible for the full engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCIC) of the offshore substation and its jacket foundation, working alongside subcontractors like Iv-Offshore & Energy and GE Renewable Energy[3].
**Ownership and Management**
The project is jointly owned by RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%), with RWE leading construction and operations[1][3]. RWE, a global leader in offshore wind with 19 farms operating globally, will manage Thor from the new Thorsminde facility for at least 30 years[1][2].
In 2022, RWE, the owner and developer of the Thor wind farm, selected HSM Offshore Energy as the preferred supplier for the offshore substation[2]. The offshore substation is being transported from the Netherlands to its destination off the Danish coast.
**Transforming and Transmitting Power**
Once installed, the offshore substation will function as the central hub, collecting electricity generated by the Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD wind turbines and transforming it to transmission-level voltage[1]. The first monopiles have been installed at the Thor wind farm site, marking a significant step forward in the construction process[1].
As the Thor offshore wind farm continues to progress, it represents a significant contribution to Denmark's renewable energy goals and a testament to the successful collaboration between industry leaders in the offshore wind sector.
The 72 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD wind turbines, known for their innovative steel towers and recyclable rotor blades, will be financed by the project owners, RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management, who will also oversee management of the wind farm for at least 30 years. This collaborative effort in the renewable-energy industry is poised to contribute significantly to Denmark's goals in the market of renewable energy.
