General – Converter Stations and HVDC
Hitachi Energy/Petrofac has been awarded five Dutch projects that will be connected in Borssele (IJmuiden Ver Alpha, Nederwiek 1), Eemshaven (Doordewind 1 and Doordewind 2) and Geertruidenberg or Moerdijk (Nederwiek 3).
This partnership will also realise the German connection LanWin5 that will be connected in Rastede.
GE/SMOP has been awarded three Dutch projects that will be connected in Maasvlakte, Rotterdam (IJmuiden Ver Beta, IJmuiden Ver Gamma and Nederwiek 2).
GE/McDermott will execute the German projects BalWin4 and LanWin1 that will be connected in Unterweser.
With 40 gigawatts, Transmission System Operator (TSO) TenneT will account for almost two-thirds of the 65GW offshore wind energy target by 2030 agreed by Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium in the Esbjerg Declaration of May 2022 at the North Sea Energy Summit.
TenneT will build 20 gigawatts (GW) each in the German and Dutch North Sea with its innovative 2GW Program and pave the way for our next generation of offshore grid connection systems. The 2GW program consist of a new standardised platform and a new certified cable system with a higher transmission capacity. It plays a crucial role in developing the offshore energy transition and will help Europe become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.
In a collaboration with Hitachi Energy and Petrofac and consortia of GE/SMOP and GE/McDermott TenneT awarded multiyear agreements to connect eight offshore wind farms in the Netherlands and three offshore wind farms in Germany until 2031. Future additional HVDC stations are planned to be called off at a later stage. The announced agreements cover offshore platforms and onshore stations, as well as the HVDC system for the two-way conversion between alternating and direct currents.
TenneT expects that the projects BalWin3, LanWin4 (both connecting to the onshore grid in Wilhemshaven) and LanWin2 (connecting in Heide) will soon be awarded. The awarded suppliers will start preparatory work for the realisation of the projects with immediate effect to ensure that all projects can be delivered until 2031. The total volume of the eleven orders is approximately 23 billion euros.
Tim Meyerjürgens, COO TenneT said: “TenneT has the technical know-how, scale and geographical position to connect wind energy from the North Sea. This is one of the most important infrastructure projects of the century; the green transformation of the energy system is key for the decarbonisation of industry. Together with our market partners we are very proud to have achieved another important milestone. Together we secure decisive acceleration of the offshore grid development and set the course for the future European energy landscape.”
Marco Kuijpers, Director Large Projects Offshore TenneT said: “The new long term approach goes hand in hand with a fundamental change in values towards a strong partnership. This approach enables both sides with more flexibility, technological progress, and planning security. This benefits all parties and secures employment, growth, and the strengthening of supply chains. We can already see that our partners invest in extra resources and facilities.”
With its 2GW Program, TenneT has developed the global offshore standard in cooperation with leading global suppliers. This new standard combines TenneT’s extensive expertise in offshore grid development with a unique transnational approach. With its strong focus on harmonisation
