Member interview: Skyborn

Can you tell our readers a little about your organisation?

Skyborn has undergone a significant evolution over the past four years. What began as a German greenfield developer has grown into a global offshore wind infrastructure platform active across Europe, the Asia Pacific region and the United States.

From the outset, we have played a pioneering role in the industry. Our team delivered Baltic 1, Germany’s first commercial offshore wind farm, and we were early entrants in both France and Taiwan. These experiences helped establish the technical depth and collaborative approach that continue to characterise our organisation. Since 2022, we have built on this culture and today our focus is on offshore wind, partnerships and our delivery model. We develop, build, operate and own offshore wind projects, which gives us a fully integrated perspective on the entire project lifecycle.

At present, we operate 1.3 GW of assets across three continents (Fécamp (FR), South Fork (US), Nordergründe (DE), Yunlin (TW)), with more than 2.1 GW under construction or in advanced development, including our flagship project Gennaker in Germany, and we have a global development pipeline exceeding 20 GW. This scale, combined with our end‑to‑end capabilities, provides us with a comprehensive understanding of what is required to make offshore wind successful from a technical, financial and long‑term reliability standpoint.

Headquartered in Hamburg with offices around the globe, we rely on the expertise of approximately 300 specialists covering the full value chain. We also have a truly international mindset, with almost 40 nationalities working internally.

2026 is a very exciting year for us. Our blueprint project, Gennaker, will reach FID this summer and will start construction later this year. It is a Skyborn project from day one and will be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the German Baltic Sea.

What are the most exciting developments you have seen in the wind
industry?

One of the most exciting developments I’ve seen in the wind industry is the moment when long‑term vision turns into tangible reality.
Seeing projects that started as a simple idea, driven forward by a developer engaging with local stakeholders, communities and elected officials, finally come to life is incredibly powerful. It is fantastic to see these projects come to life producing large amounts of green electricity, creating skilled jobs, strengthening local supply chains and delivering real economic value to regions.

This long journey reminds us that offshore wind is not just about technology or megawatts. It’s about trust, perseverance, collaboration and long‑term commitment. Including the fact that, when done right, these projects can have a lasting positive impact well beyond energy production. That transformation, from an initial idea to a fully operational asset contributing to the energy transition, is what continues to motivate me the most.

What changes would you like to see in the wind industry?

First, offshore wind has entered a phase of truly global competition for capital. Investment now flows to markets that offer predictable, bankable conditions, and Europe is feeling the impact through failed auctions, limited bidder participation and tighter economics driven by inflation, interest rates and supply chain pressure.

To change that, we must have a stable set of rules that allow developers and supply chains to make smart and long-term decisions. This will allow for standardisation, which is the best way to drive down the cost of energy and deliver the energy Europe so desperately needs. However, the decisions taken today will determine whether Europe meets its 2030–2040 ambitions!

Second, the near-term focus should remain on proven technologies – fixed-bottom foundations and 15 MW turbines – as they scale faster, reduce risk and create more predictable cost outcomes. Delivery confidence matters more than ever, and relying on what works is the fastest way to regain momentum.

And last but not least, we need a more open and constructive dialogue between governments and industry – and between governments themselves. Standardised rules across Europe will allow governments to capture benefits in terms of energy supply and a Europe-based supply chain that can create thousands of jobs. I would encourage European governments and administrations to talk more, learn from each other, and not always reinvent the wheel.

Offshore wind is a team sport: as a project team but also between industry and decision makers. Offshore wind only works when policy design reflects real operational and financial challenges, and when industry engages early and transparently so tenders lead to buildable, bankable projects rather than cancelled or uncompetitive auctions.

Going forward, what role do you see your organisation playing in the future development of wind energy?

As an offshore wind infrastructure platform, our strategy is to take a project to FID every 12–18 months, focusing on mature markets where we can deliver efficiently and at scale. We want to help shape the next phase of offshore wind: disciplined, standardised and predictable project delivery, stronger industrialisation and a steady, investable pipeline.

Skyborn aims to be a trusted partner for all those who want to deliver projects efficiently. Our long track record and the agility of a relatively small organisation combined with our strong financial setup enable us to provide our partners with both flexibility and long-term commitments.

How has WindEurope membership benefited your organisation?

First: you are a great team and I’d like to thank you for your high-quality work!

We have been members for a long time but have truly invested our teams for the last two years. Industry associations are key, and we know how powerful WindEurope is for staying on top of European market and policy developments. It provides timely intelligence, strong networks, and visibility at key events, which supports our work as a focused offshore wind platform. We are also always really happy to meet everyone in Copenhagen or Madrid!

If we look ten years ahead, what do you hope to have achieved?

We aim to accelerate the transition of industries, transport, and buildings – sectors facing major challenges and currently highly

Ten years from now, Gennaker will already be a longstanding project of ours. We will have developed and built four to five other projects, we will be a leading member of WindEurope, and Skyborn will be recognised as one of the most reliable offshore wind infrastructure platforms – consistently delivering the projects we commit to.