Transmission system operator TenneT has achieved a significant milestone in the expansion of wind energy capacity in the German North Sea with the completion of the DolWin6 offshore grid connection. This achievement now makes over 8 gigawatts (GW) of connection capacity available for wind energy in the region.
Following several weeks of successful trial operation by Siemens Energy, DolWin6 has officially been handed over to TenneT for regular operation. This remarkable addition brings the transmission capacity in the German North Sea to an impressive 8032 megawatts (MW).
Notably, TenneT has also made substantial progress in the Dutch North Sea, where they have realized 3500MW of connection capacity. This collective effort contributes to a total offshore capacity of more than 11.5GW in the region.
Tim Meyerjürgens, Chief Operating Officer of TenneT, emphasized the critical role of wind energy generated at sea in shaping the future energy supply. He pointed out, “The North Sea countries of Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium set ambitious targets in Esbjerg last year and agreed to expand offshore to 65GW by 2030. With 40GW, TenneT alone will transport almost two-thirds of this energy onshore, and the good news is we are making great strides forward! With 11.5GW, we are already more than a quarter of the way there.”
DolWin6 operates as a direct current connection with a transmission capacity of 900MW. The associated offshore platform plays a pivotal role in this process by converting the three-phase current generated by offshore wind farms into direct current. It is then transported via a sea cable, approximately 45 kilometers long, to the mainland in Hilgenriedersiel (East Frisia). From there, an underground cable, also about 45 kilometers long, transmits the electricity to Emden/East. To integrate it into the extra-high voltage grid on land, a converter station and a transformer station convert the direct current back into three-phase current.
This achievement underscores the significant progress in expanding offshore wind energy capacity and represents a crucial step towards a more sustainable energy future in the region.
