TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator, has announced the signing of contracts worth around €30bn to secure components for the development of its North Sea transmission capacity. The contracts cover both sea- and land-based converter stations for 14 grid connection systems that will transmit power from offshore wind farms in the German and Dutch North Sea.
Eleven of these systems were awarded contracts in March, with the final three added at the recent signing ceremony in Germany. The contracts were signed with Hitachi Energy/Petrofac cooperation and three consortium partnerships, including GE/Sembcorp (SMOP), GE/McDermott, and Siemens Energy/Dragados.
See also: TenneT awards contracts to NKT and Prysmian for cable connections in five Dutch offshore wind farms
The components required to convert alternating current into direct current and back will be exclusively manufactured at European production sites of the consortiums' members for all projects. The 14 transmission systems are expected to be completed by 2031.
TenneT's COO, Tim Meyerjurgens, emphasised the importance of this project, stating: “As the leading offshore transmission system operator in the EU, we have the know-how needed to make Europe's goal of securing an independent supply of renewable energies a reality. To achieve this, the North Sea must be developed as Europe's green powerhouse and quickly connected to the electricity grids on land. We are acting and investing accordingly. Our 2GW Programme will help make green wind energy from the North Sea scalable and more cost-efficient – while continuing to minimise any impacts on the environment.”
See also: Hitachi Energy and Petrofac Sign Early Works Agreements with TenneT for 2GW Offshore Wind Program
This project is significant in terms of helping Europe achieve its goal of securing a sustainable energy supply. By developing the North Sea as a green powerhouse and connecting it to the electricity grids on land, the region will be able to produce renewable energy on a much larger scale, making it more cost-effective and efficient. Furthermore, this project will have a significant impact on reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, which will help tackle climate change.
The use of European production sites for the manufacturing of components is a positive step in supporting local economies and creating jobs. Additionally, the investment in green energy will bring long-term benefits to society, such as reduced pollution and improved air quality.
