Name of the Project
Sofia Offshore Wind Farm.

Location
Dogger Bank, 195 km off the coast of England, in the UK.

Project Owner/s
Multinational energy company RWE, through its subsidiary RWE Offshore Wind.

Project Description
Sofia will comprise one-hundred 14 MW offshore wind turbines. 

Upon its commissioning, the project will have a capacity of 1.4 GW, enough to power the equivalent of 1.2-million typical UK homes.

The wind farm is pioneering sustainability through several initiatives, including using recyclable wind turbine blades, as 50% of Sofia’s turbines will be equipped with recyclable blades, the highest proportion ever implemented on a major wind farm.

The project will also use two of the world’s first methanol- and battery-powered service operations vessels, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 10 000 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is expected to be commissioned in 2026.

Latest Developments
Bubble curtain
RWE has been working with Hydrotechnik Offshore to successfully introduce an innovative underwater noise-abatement technology, known as a bubble curtain, for offshore wind farm construction in the UK.

The bubble curtain, already adopted across Europe, reduces the propagation of underwater noise by creating a barrier of rising bubbles around the turbine installation site. By dampening sound waves, this technology mitigates disturbances to marine species, such as harbour porpoises, dolphins and whales, which rely on ultrasound for orientation.

The system places a perforated hose on the seabed around the turbine installation site, forming a 180-m-wide ring. Compressed air is pumped through the hose, generating a continuous stream of bubbles that rise to the surface. This bubble barrier effectively breaks up and slows down the sound waves, significantly reducing noise levels during piling operations.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Hydrotechnik Offshore (underwater noise-abatement technology).

Contact Details for Project Information
RWE Offshore Wind corporate communications & public affairs, tel
T +49 201 5179 5008 or email communications@rwe.com.