Sofia Wind Farm Project Overview

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is the largest offshore wind project of RWE, located on the Dogger Bank in the North Sea. The project officially started construction in June 2021. The offshore wind farm is developed and operated by Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Limited and owned by RWE Renewables.

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, with a total capacity of 1.4 GW, is equipped with 14 MW Siemens Gamesa 14-222 DD turbines capable of powering approximately 1.2 million UK homes. The project cost of the offshore wind farm is estimated at EUR 3 billion (USD 3.7 billion) and is expected to be completed in 2026. The Sofia wind farm project is set to shape the UK's energy transition by contributing to carbon reduction goals and supporting sustainable energy targets.

Project Background

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm project is one of the major contributors to the UK’s offshore wind target of 50 GW by 2030. The offshore wind farm under construction was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the UK Government's 2019 auction. The wind farm reached its final investment decision in March 2021. Following this, construction of onshore infrastructure officially commenced in June 2021 with enabling works for the converter station in Redcar, Teesside.

The offshore construction of the project began in September 2023, utilizing the Port of Blyth as the operational hub. The wind project involves multiple Tier 1 suppliers who are managing key components, including the installation of 100 turbines, foundations, and extensive onshore and offshore electrical systems.

RWE is currently progressing with the installation of turbine foundations and expects this phase to conclude by spring 2025. The project underscores RWE’s commitment to tripling its global offshore wind capacity by 2030. The 1.4 MW project is currently planned for completion in 2026.

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Location Details

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is situated on Dogger Bank in the North Sea, approximately 195 km off the northeast coast of the UK. The wind farm spans a site area of 593 square kilometers.

Electricity generated from Sofia will be collected at a single offshore converter platform and transported 220 km to landfall in Redcar, Teesside.

Project Cost

The estimated project cost of the Sofia offshore wind farm is EUR 3 billion (USD 3.7 Billion).

Technical Specifications

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm will feature 100 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines, each towering 252 meters tall. To optimize efficiency, sensors on each turbine enable them to pivot, or yaw, into the wind, while adjustable blade angles maximize lift force. This force drives the rotation of a hub connected to a generator within the nacelle, which uses magnets to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Each turbine connects to a vast inter-array cable network consisting of 109 cables across 18 strings, totaling approximately 360 kilometers. Configured into nine loops, this network ensures flexibility in energy flow, allowing electricity to reach the offshore converter station from multiple directions.

The offshore electrical infrastructure at Sofia is engineered to minimize transmission losses across the 220 km stretch to shore. A single offshore converter platform, supported by a 7,000-tonne jacket foundation, converts generated power from 66 kV alternating current (AC) to 320 kV direct current (DC) for efficient transmission. 

Find Offshore Wind Projects in the UK     Collect Your Free Leads Here!

High voltage direct current (HVDC) export cables, totaling 440 kilometers and supplied by Prysmian Group, will carry power to Teesside, where it reaches the onshore converter station near Lazenby. At this station, the current is converted back to 400 kV AC before entering the National Grid at Lackenby.

The project uses GE Grid’s eLumina™ HVDC Control System and second-generation voltage source converters, enabling advanced control and efficiency across the transmission system. The entire infrastructure, from monopile turbine foundations to cutting-edge converter platforms, reflects Sofia’s advanced design.

Sofia Offshore Wind Project: Contractor Details

Access Blackridge’s UK Offshore Wind Database for detailed insights on contractors, upcoming tenders, and important project dates.

Project Benefits of Sofia Wind Farm

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm Project brings substantial economic and environmental benefits to the UK. With an investment of EUR 3 billion, Sofia promises to generate extensive economic opportunities, boosting the UK supply chain and creating direct and indirect jobs through contracts and infrastructure improvements. 

Over 50% of the project’s content is expected from UK suppliers, reflecting Sofia’s commitment to strengthening local economies. RWE’s extensive experience in offshore wind, combined with its nine active UK offshore wind projects, reinforces Sofia's contribution toward meeting the UK’s offshore wind targets and advancing the country’s Net Zero ambitions.

In terms of energy generation, Sofia will produce approximately 6 TWh annually, supplying nearly 1.2 million UK homes. This is equivalent to almost half of the North East’s yearly electricity demand. This large-scale clean energy production will displace fossil fuel usage, avoiding over 2.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Sofia also secured the lowest strike price for offshore wind in the 2019 Contracts for Difference auction. This will making it one of the UK’s most cost-effective sources of new electricity, thus paving the way for affordable and sustainable energy for years to come.

Sofia Wind Farm Construction Timeline

Current and Future Outlook

The offshore construction of the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm officially commenced in September 2023, marking a major milestone in the project’s development. This initial phase includes the installation of Sofia's two 220-kilometer export cables, managed by the Leonardo da Vinci vessel.

The construction team has established a base of operations at the Port of Blyth, and key site preparation activities are in motion, including the deployment of marker buoys at the Dogger Bank location to delineate the offshore area.

In October 2024, RWE has revealed the first turbine blade for the Sofia offshore wind project. The turbine blade is manufactured at the Siemens Gamesa factory in Hull, UK and will power the 100 offshore turbines with 14MW capacity.

Looking ahead, 2024 will be an intensive year as the project advances with several critical installations. Work at the Dogger Bank site will involve the installation of the first extended monopile foundations for Sofia’s 100 turbines.

Additionally, the offshore converter platform—comprising a 10,000-tonne topside and 7,000-tonne jacket foundation—alongside 350 kilometers of array cables will form the backbone of the wind farm’s infrastructure. Following these installations, the 14 MW Siemens Gamesa turbines will arrive for placement on the prepared foundations.

Full-scale construction is projected to wrap up by the end of 2026, setting the stage for Sofia’s transition to operational status.

Sofia Wind Farm - Project Summary

The Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is a 1.4 GW greenfield wind energy project located on Dogger Bank Wind Farm area in the North Sea. Owned by RWE Renewables, this EUR 3 billion project will feature 100 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines capable of powering approximately 1.2 million UK homes annually. Offshore construction began in 2023, with project completion expected in 2026. Sofia will contribute significantly to the UK’s 2030 offshore wind target and Net Zero goals. Its clean energy production will reduce UK carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes each year.

FAQs

Who owns Sofia offshore wind farm?

Sofia Offshore Wind Farm is currently owned by RWE renewables.

Where is Sofia offshore wind farm?

The Sofia offshore wind farm is located on Dogger Bank in the central North Sea, 195 kilometres from the North East coast of the UK.

How deep is the water at Sofia offshore wind farm?

Sofia's offshore wind farm is located with water depths up to 37 metres.

Gain a Competitive Edge in the UK Offshore Wind Industry

Subscribe to our offshore wind projects database in the UK and receive exclusive benefits like

• Regular updates on offshore projects and tenders
• In-progress and Completed offshore wind projects
• Essential details, Timely Updates, Key Stakeholder Contact Information
• Industry Trends and insights by experts

Start a free demo to find the latest offshore wind farm projects in the UK to take your business to the next level!