German energy company RWE has completed the divestment of its 33.33% ownership stake in the Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm to French power producer EDF. Following the transaction, EDF will assume responsibility for leading the project’s development and delivery on behalf of the joint venture partners, supporting its progression toward construction and eventual commercial operation.
The transaction marks a change in the ownership and management structure of the Five Estuaries project, one of the offshore wind developments planned in the United Kingdom. With EDF taking over project leadership, the development will continue advancing through its next stages following the completion of the regulatory approval process.
Five Estuaries received development consent from the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on December 17, 2025. The approval provides the regulatory framework for the project’s development in the southern North Sea, where it will be constructed across two seabed areas covering approximately 128 square kilometres.
The offshore wind farm has been approved to accommodate up to 79 wind turbines, with a maximum blade tip height of 370 metres, along with their associated foundations. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate sufficient renewable electricity to meet the equivalent annual power requirements of approximately one million average UK households.
Following the divestment, EDF will take responsibility for coordinating the project’s development activities and overseeing its transition toward construction and operation. RWE will continue supporting the project in the short term to facilitate a smooth transfer of responsibilities to the new ownership structure.
Commenting on the transaction, an RWE spokesperson emphasized that the immediate priority for Five Estuaries is to advance from the development stage into construction and ultimately commercial operation.
The spokesperson welcomed EDF’s commitment to progressing the project, highlighting the company’s established involvement in the UK’s renewable energy sector and its role in maintaining momentum toward the project’s development objectives.
The completion of the stake sale comes as RWE continues to expand its offshore wind activities in the United Kingdom and other international markets. The company remains a major participant in the offshore wind sector, with a portfolio of operational assets and development projects.
RWE secured awards for five offshore wind projects in the UK’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) Allocation Round 7 (AR7), representing a combined installed capacity of approximately 6.9 GW. The awards positioned the company as the largest successful participant in the offshore wind category during that allocation round.
As part of its broader renewable energy growth strategy, RWE intends to expand its offshore wind capacity by a net 5 GW by 2031. The company continues to pursue offshore wind development opportunities while managing its portfolio through investment, partnerships, and asset transactions.
The transfer of RWE’s stake in Five Estuaries to EDF reflects the evolving ownership arrangements within the UK’s offshore wind industry, where joint ventures and strategic investments play an important role in advancing large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.
With development consent already secured, the Five Estuaries project is positioned to progress toward its next implementation milestones under EDF’s leadership. The development is expected to contribute to the UK’s offshore wind generation capacity and support the country’s efforts to expand domestic renewable electricity production and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
The completed divestment allows EDF to take the lead in advancing the Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm, while RWE continues to focus on its wider offshore wind development portfolio and its planned capacity expansion through 2031.
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