Heavy lifting and transport specialist Mammoet has signed an agreement with Heerema Marine Contractors to assist with the offshore installation of two topsides as part of TenneT’s 2GW offshore grid programme.
Under the terms of the deal, Mammoet will support Heerema in executing the floatover operations required to position the topsides onto jacket foundations in the North Sea. The process involves transferring the topsides from a heavy transport vessel to Heerema’s newly-built H-731 barge using hydraulic skid shoes. Mammoet’s mega jack system will then lift the structures to the necessary floatover height onboard the barge.
Once elevated, a floatover frame will be positioned beneath the topsides to facilitate final installation.
The work is part of TenneT’s broader 2GW programme, which aims to establish 14 high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore grid connection systems by 2032. These systems—six in Germany and eight in the Netherlands—will each have a transmission capacity of 2 gigawatts, enabling more efficient transport of wind-generated electricity from the North Sea to shore.
Mammoet Sales Director Richard Verhoeff described the partnership as an opportunity to contribute to regional energy goals. “With this contract, Mammoet will be playing a key role in securing the future of energy in Northern Europe while showcasing our unique capabilities in both high-precision skidding and jacking operations,” he said. “We are delighted to be working closely with Heerema and thank them for enabling us to play an even greater role in the wider energy transition.
Martijn Wijdeveld, Heerema’s Director of Supply Chain Management and Procurement, noted Mammoet’s experience in the sector. “Mammoet is a market leader in offshore wind heavy lift and transport, and has proven it has the knowledge, equipment and engineers to manage the world’s biggest projects,” he said. “We look forward to collaborating with them.
The HVDC infrastructure under development will convert power from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), allowing for higher transmission capacity using fewer cables.
