Groundwork launched for Veja Mate
- Editorial
- 21 Aug, 2026
Seabed preparation work has begun at Veja Mate, a 402MW offshore project located 95 km North West from the island of Borkum in the German North Sea. This renowned wind park will consist of 67 Siemens 6MW turbines using the world's largest monopiles. A 2-layered scour protection system, designed to avoid natural scour erosion, using stones of select size and thickness, will allow for the post installation of the monopiles. Actual foundation installation is scheduled for April 2016, marking the construction start of the project.
Veja Mate's Foundation Package Manager stated “A lot of hard work, from both our contractors, and our Veja Mate project team has been done to get ready for the seabed preparation. Beginning pre-construction work just 6 months after funding is an extremely short time schedule; I am happy that the Foundation Package has got off to a good start.” The Chief Operations Officer added, “I am very pleased with our agile, high-performing international team. We at Veja Mate are seriously committed to making Germany's energy supply greener by increasing its use of clean wind power.”
About Veja Mate Offshore Project (Veja Mate):
Veja Mate is a 402 MW, 1,9 bln EUR offshore wind project owned by the Highland Group, Siemens Financial Services, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. Bank financing was completed on the 1st of July 2015. Construction is planned to start on the 1st of April 2016, and the project is expected to be fully operational on the 1st of January 2018.
The Veja Mate project management team consists of 40 highly experienced offshore wind professionals. When fully operational in 2018, it will produce over 1,6 TWh of green, renewable electricity annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of 400.000 German households.
Seabed Preparation: A Critical First Step
The seabed preparation phase at Veja Mate is far more than a preliminary formality; it is a carefully engineered process that lays the foundation for the entire project. The site, located 95 km northwest of Borkum in the German North Sea, is characterized by sandy seabed conditions that are highly susceptible to scour—the erosion of sediment around structures caused by tidal currents and wave action. To mitigate this, the project employs a two-layered scour protection system. The first layer consists of a filter layer of smaller stones that prevents the finer seabed material from being washed away, while the second layer, made of larger armour stones, provides robust resistance against the hydrodynamic forces. This design ensures that once the monopiles are installed, they remain stable and secure for the 25-year operational life of the wind farm.
The choice of stone size and layer thickness is not arbitrary; it is based on extensive geotechnical surveys and hydraulic modelling. The stones are sourced from quarries that meet strict quality standards, and their placement is executed by specialized fallpipe vessels and rock installation vessels. These vessels use dynamic positioning systems to accurately place the stones in the designated areas, often operating in challenging weather conditions. The process is monitored in real-time using multibeam echosounders and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to ensure the scour protection meets the design specifications. This meticulous approach reduces the risk of future maintenance and costly repairs, which is particularly important given the remote location of the site.
Furthermore, the seabed preparation work is a prerequisite for the installation of the monopiles, which are the world's largest for a 6 MW turbine. The monopiles, with diameters exceeding 8 meters and weighing up to 1,300 tonnes, require a level and stable seabed to be driven into place. Any irregularities or soft spots could lead to misalignment or refusal during pile driving. Therefore, the preparation phase includes not only the placement of scour protection but also the levelling of the seabed in the areas where the monopiles will be installed. This is achieved through dredging or the placement of a gravel bed, depending on the local conditions. The successful completion of this phase is a testament to the project's commitment to engineering excellence and safety.
Project Timeline and Milestones
The Veja Mate offshore wind project has achieved remarkable progress since its financial close on 1 July 2015. The fact that seabed preparation began just six months after funding is a clear indicator of the project team's efficiency and the robust planning that went into the development phase. The timeline is aggressive, with foundation installation scheduled to commence in April 2016. This will involve the transport of monopiles and transition pieces from the manufacturing facilities to the offshore site, where they will be installed using heavy-lift vessels and pile-driving hammers. The installation of the 67 Siemens 6 MW turbines will follow, with the project expected to be fully operational by 1 January 2018.
Key milestones include the completion of the offshore substation (OSS), which was installed in September 2016, as detailed in the press release Veja Mate Offshore Project Installs OSS. The OSS serves as the central hub for collecting the power generated by the turbines and transforming it to a higher voltage for transmission to shore. The grid connection is provided by TenneT, the Dutch-German transmission system operator, through the BorWin2 high-voltage direct current (HVDC) platform. The successful connection of Veja Mate to BorWin2 was announced in December 2016, marking a significant step towards full commissioning. For more details, see TenneT connects offshore wind farm Veja Mate to grid connection BorWin2.
Another notable milestone was the installation of one third of the monopiles by June 2016, as reported in Veja Mate Offshore Project Installs One Third of its monopiles. This rapid progress was made possible by the use of multiple installation vessels and a well-coordinated supply chain. The project also received the SGS Project Certificate in December 2017, which is an independent verification that the wind farm meets all relevant standards and regulations. This certification is a prerequisite for the project to receive its feed-in tariff and is a testament to the quality of the work. For more information, see Veja Mate receives SGS Project Certificate.
Technical Specifications and Innovation
Veja Mate is at the forefront of offshore wind technology, utilising the Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbine, which has a rated capacity of 6 MW and a rotor diameter of 154 meters. These turbines are among the most efficient in the industry, with a high capacity factor that is well-suited to the wind conditions in the German North Sea. The turbines are mounted on monopile foundations, which are the largest ever used for a 6 MW turbine. The monopiles have a diameter of up to 8.4 meters, a length of up to 84 meters, and a weight of up to 1,300 tonnes. They are manufactured from high-strength steel and are designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, including corrosion, fatigue, and extreme wave loads.
The transition pieces, which connect the monopiles to the turbine towers, are equipped with all the necessary electrical and mechanical interfaces, including the boat landing, J-tubes for cables, and platforms for access. The inter-array cables, which connect the turbines to the offshore substation, are buried below the seabed to protect them from fishing gear and anchors. The export cable, which transmits the power to shore, is a high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable that connects to the BorWin2 HVDC platform. The use of HVDC technology reduces transmission losses over the long distance to shore and allows for the integration of large amounts of renewable energy into the grid.
One of the innovative aspects of the Veja Mate project is the use of a "float-over" installation method for the offshore substation. Instead of using a heavy-lift crane vessel, the substation was transported on a barge and floated over the pre-installed jacket foundation, then lowered into place using ballasting. This method is faster and less weather-dependent than traditional crane lifts, and it was successfully executed in September 2016. The project also employs advanced monitoring systems, including structural health monitoring on selected monopiles, to provide real-time data on the performance of the foundations. This data is used to optimise maintenance schedules and ensure the long-term reliability of the wind farm.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The Veja Mate offshore wind farm will make a significant contribution to Germany's renewable energy targets. With an annual production of over 1.6 TWh of green electricity, it will supply the equivalent of 400,000 German households, reducing the country's reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 1 million tonnes per year. This is in line with the German government's Energiewende policy, which aims to transition the country to a low-carbon, nuclear-free energy system by 2050. Offshore wind is a key component of this strategy, as it offers a higher capacity factor and more consistent wind speeds compared to onshore wind.
In addition to its environmental benefits, the Veja Mate project has a positive economic impact on the region. During the construction phase, the project created hundreds of jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and marine operations. The monopiles were fabricated in Germany, and the transition pieces were produced in Denmark, with many other components sourced from across Europe. The project also supports the local supply chain in the port of Eemshaven in the Netherlands, which serves as the operations and maintenance base. Once operational, the wind farm will provide long-term employment for technicians and support staff, contributing to the economic development of the coastal communities.
Furthermore, the Veja Mate project demonstrates the viability of large-scale offshore wind as a competitive source of energy. The project was developed without any direct government subsidies, relying instead on the market-based revenue from the sale of electricity and the German renewable energy surcharge. This is a significant achievement, as it shows that offshore wind can compete with conventional power sources when the right conditions are in place. The project's success has paved the way for future offshore wind developments in the German North Sea and beyond, contributing to the global transition to a sustainable energy future.
Looking Ahead: Operations and Maintenance
As the Veja Mate wind farm approaches full operation, the focus shifts from construction to operations and maintenance (O&M). The project has established a dedicated O&M base in Eemshaven, Netherlands, which provides easy access to the offshore site. The base includes a control room, warehouse, and crew transfer vessel (CTV) facilities. The O&M team is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the wind farm, including monitoring the turbines, performing preventive maintenance, and responding to any faults. The use of condition-based maintenance, enabled by the advanced sensors and data analytics, allows the team to predict and prevent failures before they occur, reducing downtime and maximising energy production.
The O&M strategy for Veja Mate includes the use of service operation vessels (SOVs) that can remain offshore for extended periods, providing accommodation for technicians and reducing the need for daily transits from shore. This improves safety and efficiency, particularly during the winter months when weather conditions can be challenging. The project also benefits from a long-term service agreement with Siemens Gamesa, which provides access to the manufacturer's expertise and spare parts. This ensures that the turbines are maintained to the highest standards and that any issues are resolved quickly.
In conclusion, the Veja Mate offshore wind project is a landmark achievement in the renewable energy sector. From the initial seabed preparation to the installation of the world's largest monopiles and the connection to the grid, the project has demonstrated technical excellence and a commitment to sustainability. As it enters the operational phase, Veja Mate will continue to deliver clean, reliable energy to hundreds of thousands of German households, while serving as a model for future offshore wind developments around the world.