Energy Transition Targets and Global Context

The fossil fuel phase-out roadmap includes a formal review of the existing timeline for ending coal-fired power generation, specifically looking at whether the transition can be accelerated from 2038 to 2035. Currently, renewables account for approximately 55% of gross electricity consumption within the country, with government projections aiming for at least 80% by 2030.

Despite domestic shifts toward renewables, global data indicates that fossil fuels still constitute roughly 80% of the world’s total energy supply. Statistical breakdowns regarding contribution to energy generation and carbon dioxide emissions are as follows:

• Coal: Represents 27% of global energy supply but contributes 42% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
• Oil: Accounts for 30% of global supply and is responsible for 30% of energy-related emissions.
• Natural Gas: Comprises 23% of global supply while producing 21% of energy-related emissions.

Transport and Heating Infrastructure

In the transport sector, Germany is aligning with EU fleet emission standards, which anticipate that battery-electric vehicles will represent 100% of new passenger car registrations by 2035.

As of August 2026, there were 2.6 million battery-electric vehicles on the road, capturing 32.4% of new registrations for that month. The German Environment Agency projects this figure to grow to 7 million by 2030 and 17 million by 2035.

Heating Systems Transition

The 2045 fossil fuel phase-out plan designates heat pumps as the primary future heating system. Suppliers of oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas will face mandates to ensure all fuels utilized for building heat transition to climate-neutral alternatives by 2045. Meanwhile, the 2045 fossil fuel phase-out remains a topic of internal discussion, as German conservatives call for continued flexibility regarding combustion-engine vehicles and the use of alternative fuels.

Rasmus Errboe, CEO of Ørsted, said, “Borkum Riffgrund 3 shows what offshore wind can deliver for Germany: large-scale, home-grown renewable electricity for industry and households, built by a European supply chain. With well-designed, risk-balanced frameworks, the German North and Baltic seas can become power plants that help drive decarbonisation and energy independence.”

“At the same time, the inauguration is a major milestone for Ørsted, as we significantly increase our renewable energy capacity in Germany and take a large step towards delivery on our global 8.1 GW construction portfolio,” he added.

Offshore Wind Supports Germany’s Energy Needs

In her message to guests in Hamburg, Katherina Reiche, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, highlighted the scale of the project and its contribution to Germany’s offshore capacity.

She said, “With 913 MW, this single project adds nearly a tenth to our national offshore capacity, which has already surpassed 10 GW this year. One wind farm with the output of a conventional power plant. Clean energy at true industrial scale.”

Grant Hendrik Tonne, Lower Saxony Minister of Economic Affairs, Transport and Building, also attended the event and emphasised the importance of offshore wind for Germany’s energy independence and industrial competitiveness.

“Borkum Riffgrund 3 illustrates why offshore wind isn’t only an essential pillar of the energy transition. It’s also an important economic driver and a strategic locational advantage. It creates orders for industrial companies, supports skilled employment, and strengthens the maritime expertise of our coastal regions,” said Grant Hendrik Tonne.

Jordi Francesch, Global Head of Clean Energy at Nuveen Infrastructure, said, “Today’s inauguration marks a proud moment for Nuveen Infrastructure and our long-standing partnership with Ørsted. Borkum Riffgrund 3 reflects the scale of investment and collaboration needed to deliver Germany’s energy transition, bringing together industrial offtakers, supply chain partners, and long-term capital to create a project that will serve German businesses and households for decades to come.”

Project Adds Renewable Power for Industry

Germany still imports more than 60 % of its energy, leaving households and businesses exposed to fossil fuel price shocks, which have occurred twice in less than five years.

Josche Muth, Country Manager of Ørsted Germany, said, “Germany is currently taking important steps to make offshore wind more efficient and affordable, especially by introducing two-sided CfDs, longer operating lives for wind farms, and a stronger focus on cross-border projects.”

Borkum Riffgrund 3 forms part of the contribution to German energy security by helping meet the increasing demand for renewable electricity from companies at the centre of Germany’s industrial and digital economy, including Amazon, Google, EHA/REWE Group, Covestro, and BASF. The project is directly connected to the TenneT Dolwin epsilon converter platform, representing a first for offshore wind in Germany. The inauguration also focused on continued innovation and coordination in grid development, with broad agreement that an accelerated and coordinated approach would be central to unlocking Germany’s renewable energy potential.

European Supply Chain Supports Construction

The construction of Borkum Riffgrund 3 demonstrates the role of the European offshore wind supply chain in delivering projects in Germany. The wind farm uses wind turbines and foundations supplied from Germany and Denmark, cables from Germany and France, and installation vessels from the Netherlands and Belgium, among others. Around 100 German companies were contracted in connection with the development and construction of the wind farm, while operations and maintenance are conducted from Ørsted’s sites in Norden-Norddeich and Emden. Offshore wind also generates value beyond Germany’s coastal regions, including industrial areas such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland.

In 2025, the offshore wind industry generated more than 30,000 full-time jobs and EUR 14.6 billion in gross value across Germany. Borkum Riffgrund 3 is Ørsted’s sixth operational offshore wind farm in Germany. Its commissioning brings Ørsted’s installed offshore wind capacity in the country to around 2.5 GW, representing a 25 % market share and the largest operational portfolio of any company in Germany.

Keywords: Borkum Riffgrund 3,

Meta-title:  Opens as Ørsted’s Largest German Project

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Siemens will deliver 17 trains to Deutsche Bahn, which initially ordered for 15 trains under a contract worth €500m in December 2008 and added two more to the order by May 2011. Federal Railway Authority (EBA) granted approval for the operations of the Velaro D trains in Germany in December 2013.
Four Velaro D trains were delivered to DB by end of December 2013. The trains run on the Cologne-Frankfurt (Main)-Stuttgart line. Additional four trains are scheduled to be delivered by end of March 2014. Siemens and DB will coordinate to test the remaining trains proposed for cross-border operations in Belgium and France after official permission is granted. DB also plans to operate the trains from London to Frankfurt via Brussels and Cologne as well as to Amsterdam via Rotterdam.
Velaro D high-speed train design

The 407 series ICE 4 train measures 200m long and weighs up to 454t. Each car is about 25m long, the body is made of aluminium to reduce weight, and the train has a recycling rate of 98%. The traction power of the train is 8,000kW.
The eight-car trains incorporate advanced technologies in aerodynamic profiling, energy management and noise reduction, and are capable of running at a speed of 320km/h on DB’s rail network.

The front ends and front-to-rear raised roof section of the trains are designed to provide good aerodynamics in addition to safety and comfort for the train drivers. The aerodynamic front-end design prevents ‘tunnel boom effect’, the noises produced due to uneven air pressures when the train enters a tunnel at a high speed.
The traction motors are distributed beneath the length of the trains providing about 20% more space compared to the ICE 1 and ICE 2 trains in which locomotives are located at the front and rear ends of each train.
Velaro D trains feature an environmentally-friendly electric braking system which enables energy to be fed back to the power supply system resulting in 10% lesser energy consumption. Further, high fuel efficiency of the trains helps reduce CO2 emissions equivalent of 14 grams per passenger/kilometre.
Innovative fixture elements ensure that the interiors of the Velaro D are quickly changed. Luggage racks and seating arrangements with tables can be supplemented overnight.
Siemens’ train capacity and facilities

The Velaro D’s eight coaches are far more spacious than its predecessors, the Series 403 and Series 406 ICE 3 trains. The Velaro D can accommodate 444 passengers including 111 in first class and the remaining in second class. A Velaro D train can be coupled to any other ICE 3 trains to form a double unit enhancing the seating capacity to 888 passengers.

The high-speed trains operated by DB are the first of their kind to be fitted with hydraulic lift for wheelchairs on each side of the train. Special facilities such as wide entrances and aisles are provided to ease movement for passengers with reduced mobility.
Video-screens mounted on the ceiling of the Velaro D inform passengers in of the train’s progress through GPS.
The trains incorporate a number of features that are friendly to visually impaired passengers. The seat numbers and car numbers are provided in Braille. Grab poles are provided in longer aisle sections, grab handles behind aisle seats, and stronger visible contrast doors and steps.
Contractors on the Velaro D ICE 3 project

Siemens contracted ABB to supply the traction transformer for the new high-speed trains. ABB has exclusively developed the 5,220kV compact, light and environmental friendly traction transformer for the Velaro D train.

HUBER+SUHNER developed the new inter-vehicle connection concept for the trains. The braking systems are being provided by Knorr-Bremse. The Velaro D’s illuminated luggage carrier flaps and the complete interior lighting system implementing T5 fluorescent technology and LEDs were supplied by SBF Spezialleuchten.
The cables and cable systems for the trains are being supplied by Leoni, while Weidmüller is supplying its WFF-185 rails for connecting the medium110V and 4kV cables within the trains.
The European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) level two equipment for the trains is being supplied by Ansaldo STS, under a contract worth €17m, while the acceleration sensors for the trains are being supplied by ASC.