Amprion, the transmission system operator (TSO), has cleared significant regulatory hurdles for the DolWin4 and BorWin4 offshore grid connection projects, marking a crucial step forward in transporting wind-generated power from the German North Sea to the mainland.
In an announcement made on Tuesday, Amprion disclosed that it has secured planning approval decisions for substantial segments of the land route for both connection lines, as well as for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) area associated with BorWin4.
The positive planning approvals, issued by the Lower Saxony State Authority for Road Construction and Transport, pave the way for Amprion to commence civil engineering work on the northern and southern onshore sections of DolWin4 and BorWin4 in the first half of 2024.
This progress follows earlier approvals granted for the DolWin4 delta converter platform and a 26-kilometer submarine cable system in the EEZ at the close of 2023.
Eric Zieschang, project manager at Amprion, expressed confidence in the project's trajectory, stating, “We are now on the final stretch of approval for our first two offshore projects. We are moving from planning to building and are confident that we will be able to put BorWin4 into operation a year earlier than planned.”
Originally slated for commissioning in 2029, BorWin4's operational timeline has been accelerated due to streamlined approval processes and project efficiencies.
DolWin4 and BorWin4, each designed with a capacity of 900 MW, are poised to operate in tandem, with an anticipated operational debut in 2028. DolWin4 will span approximately 215 kilometers, including a significant stretch of 60 kilometers of submarine cables beneath Norderney Island. In contrast, BorWin4's route will cover approximately 280 kilometers, with around 125 kilometers submerged underwater.
