RWE has inked framework agreements with Hitachi Energy and Aibel for the joint provision of three high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems. These systems are slated for integration into RWE's offshore wind farms, set to connect to the grid in the early 2020s.
The signing ceremony, held in Hamburg, Germany, marked the commencement of a promising partnership between the three entities. HVDC systems play a pivotal role in transmitting electricity from offshore wind farms to onshore connection points.
Under these long-term agreements, Hitachi Energy will supply its voltage source converter (VSC) systems, facilitating the conversion of alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for efficient long-distance transmission. Aibel, on the other hand, will spearhead the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) tasks concerning the design, construction, and commissioning of offshore platforms.
Sven Utermöhlen, RWE Offshore Wind's chief executive, emphasized the significance of offshore wind deployment in achieving climate protection goals. He remarked, “As RWE, we continue to drive forward the expansion of offshore wind energy… because we believe in its long-term fundamentals.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the agreements, Utermöhlen added, “Given the challenging market situation, this type of agreement is exactly what we need to succeed.”
The framework agreements empower Hitachi Energy and Aibel to efficiently manage the requisite resources for delivering the three HVDC systems. This includes securing the supply chain, workforce acquisition, capacity allocation for engineering and manufacturing, and pre-ordering materials.
Moreover, these agreements extend RWE the prospect of procuring additional HVDC systems for forthcoming offshore wind projects globally.
Niklas Persson, managing director at Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business, expressed satisfaction in being selected by RWE for this agreement. He underscored, “The energy transition requires us to deploy innovative solutions at scale and speed.”
Mads Andersen, president and CEO at Aibel, affirmed the competitiveness of their concept in collaboration with Hitachi Energy. He stated, “The agreement with RWE confirms that we have a competitive concept… and a reliable common delivery model with a balanced risk-reward profile.”
