TenneT announces transnational HVDC for 2GW renewables programme
Cross-border TSO TenneT has announced HVDC cables for at least 10 connection systems in a 2GW program for wind energy transmission from sea to land in Germany and the Netherlands.
The High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables aim to increase and bundle electricity transmission capacities, reduce environmental impact, improve security of supply, and expand and develop energy resources and supply chains.
“With our second large-scale EU tender this summer, we as a cross-border transmission system operator are once again giving the offshore market an important boost in terms of investment security, employment and the plannable development of resources and supply chains,” stated TenneT COO Tim Meyerjürgens. “At the same time, the framework agreement secures cable orders for at least ten offshore grid connections in the German and Dutch North Sea for our innovative 2GW programme.”
TenneT plans to agree a second cooperation with key market partners for a period of up to eight years.
This agreement covers the 525kV subsea cables for laying between the offshore converter platforms in the North Sea to the coast, as well as the underground cables from the coast to the onshore converter stations.
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On this, Meyerjürgens explained: “TenneT had already published its first large-scale EU tender in the offshore sector in June. This tender focused on the offshore converter platforms and the onshore converter stations. That was the first step, and now we are following up with another large-scale tender for our innovative 525kV cable system.
“Together, the two tenders offer a holistic and concrete action plan to further accelerate the offshore grid expansion in the North Sea as Europe’s wind power plant. With our new 2GW standard for offshore grid connection systems, we have provided the blueprint for this grid expansion. With our framework agreements, we are now initiating the necessary market approach to deliver safely and sustainably – in time, scope and budget.”
According to the TSO, Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine and the ensuing energy and commodity crises have increased the challenges in transitioning to a sustainable energy system.
As the countries confirmed in the Esbjerg Declaration, the North Sea offers the potential to become Europe’s green wind energy powerhouse. An integrated offshore energy system in the North Sea is thus key to achieving energy transition and energy independence.
At present, TenneT‘s connection capacity is around 7.2GW in the German North Sea and around 2.8GW in the Netherlands‘ North Sea. Their 2GW programme will play a crucial role in managing the energy transition from offshore and help Europe become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.
It further aims to provide a blueprint for future offshore grid connection systems and enable faster deployment. The larger capacity of 2GW per system is stated by the TSO to reduce the number of grid connections required.
