German transmission system operator (TSO) Amprion expects to commission the offshore grid connection system BalWin1 in the North Sea during the third quarter of 2030. This timeline, while falling short of the updated projection, is still ahead of the initially scheduled date for 2031, according to a company spokesperson.
The statement comes in response to a letter from Germany's Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) to the Federal Network Agency, indicating that the grid connection systems for four North Sea wind farm areas are likely to face delays of up to two years due to supply chain bottlenecks.
BalWin1, also known as NOR-9 1, is one of the three grid connection systems affected by the anticipated delays. Originally planned for commissioning in 2031, the timeline was brought forward to 2029 in 2022. The power line is designed to connect a 2-GW wind park to the grid, with the site for the wind farm set to be tendered this year.
Amprion secured early capacities in the supplier market for its offshore grid connection systems, encompassing converters both onshore and offshore, as well as associated cable systems. However, the spokesperson clarified that despite supply chain challenges, advancing the commissioning of BalWin1 by two years is unlikely due to the necessary fine-tuning of individual components requiring additional time.
The spokesperson emphasized Amprion's commitment to providing planning certainty for potential wind park operators participating in this year's wind area tender by timely communication of findings to BSH. A specific commissioning date for BalWin1 will be announced after the final allocation of all central construction works.
