Making of Veja Mate Offshore Wind Farm
- Editorial
- 03 Aug, 2026
When the Veja Mate offshore wind farm reached full commissioning, it marked the culmination of an extraordinary engineering and logistical effort. The project, located in the German Bight of the North Sea, achieved a remarkable milestone: all 67 turbines were installed and operational just 23 months after financial close. This short video offers a behind-the-scenes look at how that was accomplished, from the first monopile to the final blade rotation, and what it means for Germany's renewable energy future.
Project Overview and Scale
Veja Mate is a 402 MW offshore wind farm situated approximately 95 kilometers northwest of the island of Borkum. The site covers an area of about 51 square kilometers, with water depths ranging from 39 to 41 meters. Such conditions demand robust engineering solutions and vessels capable of handling the open North Sea. The project uses 67 Siemens SWT-6.0-154 turbines, each with a rated capacity of 6 megawatts and a rotor diameter of 154 meters. The total installed capacity makes Veja Mate one of the larger offshore wind farms in German waters, capable of supplying renewable electricity to roughly 400,000 households annually.
Beyond the turbines themselves, the project includes a single offshore substation (OSS) that collects the power generated by the turbines and transforms it to a higher voltage for transmission. From the OSS, the electricity is exported via a subsea cable to the BorWin2 converter platform operated by TenneT, which then transmits the power as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) to the German mainland grid. This connection is critical, as it ensures the clean energy generated far offshore can reach consumers efficiently.
Construction Timeline and Key Phases
The construction of Veja Mate was executed with remarkable speed. After reaching financial close, the project team immediately mobilized for offshore installation. The first major milestone was the installation of monopile foundations. Each monopile is a massive steel tube, up to 82 meters long and weighing around 950 tonnes, driven into the seabed by specialized installation vessels. The transition pieces, which connect the monopiles to the turbine towers, were then grouted into place. This foundation work was completed in a matter of months, thanks to careful planning and the use of multiple installation spreads.
Following foundation installation, the offshore substation was lifted into place. The OSS jacket and topside were installed in the summer of 2016, a complex operation requiring heavy-lift vessels and precise positioning. Once the substation was in place, the inter-array cables were laid to connect the turbines to the OSS. These cables, buried beneath the seabed to protect them from fishing gear and anchors, form the internal grid of the wind farm.
The final phase was turbine installation. Each turbine was transported to the site in components—tower sections, nacelle, and blades—and assembled at sea using jack-up vessels. The installation team achieved an impressive rate, sometimes installing multiple turbines per week. The last turbine was installed in early 2017, and the entire project was fully commissioned shortly thereafter.
Logistical and Technical Challenges
Building an offshore wind farm in the North Sea is never easy. The Veja Mate team faced persistent challenges, including rough weather, strong currents, and the logistical complexity of coordinating multiple vessels and crews. The project's location far from shore meant that every component had to be transported long distances, and weather windows for installation were often short. To mitigate these risks, the project employed a strategy of parallel workstreams, with separate vessels handling foundations, cables, and turbines simultaneously. This approach allowed the project to maintain momentum even when one workstream was delayed by weather.
Another significant challenge was the installation of the monopiles in the hard, sandy seabed. The use of a large hydraulic hammer and careful soil analysis ensured that each monopile was driven to the correct depth and alignment. The transition pieces were then installed with a high degree of precision, as even a small misalignment could cause problems during turbine installation. The project's engineering team used advanced positioning systems and real-time monitoring to ensure accuracy.
The offshore substation also presented unique challenges. The topside, weighing over 2,000 tonnes, had to be lifted onto its jacket in a single operation. This required a crane vessel with sufficient capacity and a calm weather window. The successful installation of the OSS was a critical milestone, as it enabled the connection of the turbines to the export cable and ultimately to the German grid.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
Throughout the construction process, safety was a top priority. Working at sea involves inherent risks, and the project implemented rigorous safety protocols to protect workers. Regular safety drills, comprehensive training, and a culture of reporting near-misses contributed to a strong safety record. The project also took steps to minimize its environmental impact. For example, the installation schedule was adjusted to avoid disturbing marine mammals during sensitive periods, and noise mitigation measures were used during pile driving to reduce underwater sound levels.
Environmental monitoring was conducted before, during, and after construction to assess the impact on marine life. The results showed that the project had minimal long-term effects on the local ecosystem. In fact, the turbine foundations have created new habitats for marine organisms, acting as artificial reefs that attract fish and other sea life. This ecological benefit is an often-overlooked positive aspect of offshore wind development.
Grid Connection and Power Delivery
The connection of Veja Mate to the German grid was a critical step in the project's success. The electricity generated by the turbines is collected at the offshore substation, where it is stepped up to 155 kV. From there, it travels via a 12-kilometer export cable to the BorWin2 converter platform. At BorWin2, the alternating current is converted to direct current for efficient transmission over the long distance to shore. The HVDC link reduces transmission losses and allows the power to be integrated into the mainland grid with minimal disruption.
The grid connection was completed and energized in late 2016, allowing the first turbines to begin exporting power even before the entire wind farm was fully installed. This early energization was a testament to the close coordination between Veja Mate and TenneT, the transmission system operator. The successful integration of Veja Mate's power into the German grid is a significant contribution to the country's Energiewende, or energy transition, which aims to phase out nuclear power and increase the share of renewables.
Video Highlights and Insights
The short video released by Veja Mate offers a compelling visual narrative of the project's construction. It captures the scale of the turbines, the precision of the installation operations, and the dedication of the workforce. Viewers can see the massive monopiles being lifted into place, the intricate cable-laying process, and the dramatic moment when a turbine's blades catch the wind for the first time. The video also highlights the collaborative effort between the project team, contractors, and suppliers that made the fast-track schedule possible.
"Completing construction in just 23 months after financial close is a remarkable achievement for any offshore wind project, and it reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone involved."
For those interested in the technical and logistical details of offshore wind construction, the video provides a rare glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of building at sea. It is a valuable resource for industry professionals, students, and anyone curious about how renewable energy is harnessed from the ocean.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Veja Mate stands as a testament to what can be achieved with careful planning, innovative engineering, and a committed team. The project not only delivers clean energy to hundreds of thousands of homes but also serves as a model for future offshore wind developments. The lessons learned from Veja Mate—particularly in terms of installation efficiency and grid integration—are already being applied to new projects in the North Sea and beyond.
As Germany continues to expand its offshore wind capacity, projects like Veja Mate will play a crucial role in meeting the country's climate goals. The success of Veja Mate demonstrates that offshore wind can be deployed quickly and effectively, providing a reliable source of renewable energy while creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. The video is a fitting tribute to the project's achievements and a reminder of the potential of offshore wind to power a sustainable future.
To learn more about Veja Mate and other milestones, visit our Press Releases section or explore the Media page for additional resources.