The UK government has released the results of the contracts for difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7) for offshore wind.
In the competitive auction, RWE’s Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West projects, as well as its two Dogger Bank South projects, all of which are located in the British North Sea, and its Awel y Môr project located in the Irish Sea secured 20-year CfDs at a strike price of £91.20/MWh, in 2024 prices, inflation-indexed, as confirmed by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). In total, RWE has been awarded CfDs for 6.9 GW of capacity.
RWE, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies, and KKR, a leading global investment firm, have agreed on a long-term partnership to jointly realise the Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West projects. Under the agreement, KKR will acquire a 50% equity stake in each project, with both partners jointly developing, constructing, and operating the wind farms. Closing of this transaction is subject to customary approval and expected in summer 2026.
Markus Krebber, CEO of RWE AG, commented: “We are delighted to have been successful in securing long-term offtake contracts for five projects in AR7. In addition, we are excited to join forces with KKR as our strategic partner in the Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West offshore wind projects. By combining KKR’s investment know-how in large scale, complex infrastructure projects with RWE’s extensive offshore wind expertise, we are well positioned to jointly realise these major projects. With the Dogger Bank South projects and our renowned partner, Masdar, we are experiencing first-hand the value of strong partnerships. At Awel y Môr, we are proud to collaborate with Stadtwerke München and Siemens, who bring their expertise and commitment to our shared success. With the successful outcome of AR7, and the agreed partnership with KKR, RWE has reached key milestones in executing its UK offshore wind development pipeline.”
Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West
The Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Vanguard West projects have been awarded contracts today totalling 3.1 GW. Located 50 – 80 km off the coast of Norfolk, once operational, the projects will be able to generate enough electricity to power around 3 million UK homes.
RWE has launched the process to raise non-recourse project finance debt for the projects. Closing of the partnership transaction and the project financing, as well as the final investment decision (FID), are targeted for summer 2026. Commissioning of the projects is expected for 2029 (Norfolk Vanguard West) and 2030 (Norfolk Vanguard East).
Going forward, RWE and KKR will assess opportunities to extend their collaboration to additional projects.
Dogger Bank South
The Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farm projects are being developed in the shallow waters of Dogger Bank in the North Sea, which is located over 100 km off the northeast coast of England. DBS comprises two separate sites, DBS East and DBS West, and contracts have now been awarded to the two projects. The two DBS projects have a combined generation capacity of 3 GW which, once operational, will be capable of producing enough electricity for the equivalent of approximately 3 million UK homes annually. In December 2023, Masdar (49%) and RWE (51%) joined forces to deliver DBS. On behalf of the partners, RWE is leading the development, construction, and operation. Commissioning of the projects is expected in 2031 (DBS West) and 2032 (DBS East).
Awel y Môr
Awel y Môr offshore wind farm is being developed as an extension to the existing Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm. It is located approximately 10.5 km off the north Wales coast in the Irish Sea. The project has an estimated generation capacity of 0.8 GW which, once operational, will be capable of producing enough electricity for the equivalent of approximately 870 000 UK homes annually. The Awel y Môr offshore wind development project is jointly owned by RWE (60%), Stadtwerke München (30%), and Siemens (10%). RWE is leading the development of the project on behalf of the project partners. Commissioning of the project is expected in 2031.
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