RTE, the French electricity transmission system operator, has awarded a consortium led by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Hitachi Energy Grid Integration the contract to build the first offshore direct current platforms and onshore converter stations for the Normandy (Centre Manche 1 & 2) and Oléron Island offshore wind farms.
The platforms, boasting higher power capabilities at 1250MW and larger sizes compared to alternating current ones, mark a significant advancement in the production of offshore renewable electricity, according to RTE.
In Normandy and Oléron, the high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems developed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Hitachi Energy will facilitate the integration of over 3.5GW of renewable energy into the RTE network.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique, with its extensive experience in manufacturing and delivering large maritime structures, will play a crucial role in constructing the offshore platforms for wind farms across France and Europe.
Hitachi Energy's global recognition for HVDC technology, previously selected for interconnections such as IFA2 and Bay of Biscay, underscores its expertise in the field.
Niklas Persson, managing director at Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business, expressed pride in their collaboration with RTE, stating, “We're proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with RTE to help bring renewable power to the French grid.”
Laurent Castaing, managing director of Chantiers de l'Atlantique, emphasized the shipyard's readiness for the project, saying, “Today, we are ready for the construction and installation of the DC platforms.”
Xavier Piechaczyk, chairman of the management board of RTE, highlighted the significance of the contract in the context of the energy transition, stating, “The electricity transmission network is the backbone of the energy transition.”
The €4.5bn contract underscores RTE's industrial strategy and supply policy, focusing on European economic benefits, with almost half of the economic benefits expected to occur in France, particularly within Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
RTE's investment is not only pivotal for the energy transition but also for the development of the manufacturing industry in France and Europe, as emphasized by Xavier Piechaczyk.
