Offshore Wind Sparks Life into Former German Naval Harbour

Borkum Hafen Immobilien GmbH, a member of the wpd Group, is developing a novel residential concept on the island of Borkum in Germany designed to meet the needs of service workers of offshore wind farms.

Borkum Hafen Immobilien, together with Delugan Meissl Associated Architects and Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH, is constructing apartments on the northern and eastern bank of the former naval harbour in the district of Reede so that workers do not have to take long commutes to work every day.

The companies are aiming to develop the quarters with zero CO2 emissions by running the heating and driving vehicles using electricity produced by the near wind turbines.

The construction is divided into two phases, with the first comprising 100 residential units. The works began in April last year when the foundations were laid and will be completed by spring 2020. The second phase will include circa 140 apartments which will be realized depending on the success of the first 100 units.

With a size of 30 to 50m2, the apartments are designed for periodic occupation and will include rooms for communal use, balconies and patios. Additional infrastructure, such as shopping facilities and leisure offers are also being constructed.

According to Borkum Hafen Immobilien, a new fuelling station for service ships has already been completed, while a corresponding heat pump and e-car sharing concept tailored to fit the irregular wind power feed is currently in development.

“It’s an immense effort for colleagues working offshore to make the trip to their demanding place of work every day. It’s a major relief if they can live comfortably and as close as possible for the period of their work. And for companies employing offshore employees, the apartments represent a huge saving in cost,” said Kai-Uwe Thase, an authorized signatory of Borkum Hafen Immobilien.

“Our aim is to design quarters which after hard days at work but also during periods of poor weather, offer ideal facilities for life beside the job with a kiosk, barbecue site, communal kitchens and common rooms, a fitness room, laundry areas and storage options. Added to this, of course, is the fact that the location is directly in the harbour, thereby offering the shortest conceivable route to the ship.”