RWE launches construction for 1.4GW Sofia offshore wind farm

RWE Renewables has started construction of its 1400MW Sofia (formerly Dogger Bank Teesside B)
wind farm in the UK North Sea.

UK firm Jones Bros Civil Engineering has begun onshore preparation works at the site of the new high-voltage direct-current converter station in Teesside, north-east England.

GE Renewable Energy’s Grid Solutions division is due to start construction of the offshore converter station in early 2022.

Initial work on the 7km onshore cable route is due to kick off around the same time. RWE plans to announce the contractor for the job later this year.

The developer aims to complete the 100-turbine project in the fourth quarter of 2026.

It made a final investment decision on the £3 billion (€3.5 billion) project in March 2021.

RWE secured a contract for difference (CfD) for Sofia – the largest project in its renewables fleet – in 2019, with a bid of £39.65/MWh in 2012 prices.

Sofia will be located on Dogger Bank, 195km off England's north-east coast.

The site will feature one offshore converter platform to export electricity via a high-voltage direct-current export cable to landfall 220km away. It will also need a new onshore converter station and has already agreed a grid connection point at an existing substation.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is due to supply 100 of its 14MW turbines – the SG 14-222 DD model.