TenneT launches HVDC cable tender for North Sea grid connections

Offshore cables. Photo by TenneT.

TenneT on Tuesday unveiled a large-scale tender for direct current cables for connection systems that will transport wind energy from the North Sea to land in Germany and the Netherlands as part of the transmission system operator's 2-GW programme.

TenneT will award orders for at least ten offshore grid connections in the North Sea, including the 525 kV subsea cables that will be laid between the offshore converter platforms in the North Sea to the coast and the underground cables from the coast to the onshore converter stations. The orders will be allocated as part of cooperation for up to eight years.

This is TenneT's second large-scale EU tender in the offshore industry this year. In June, the power grid operator sought partners for the offshore converter platforms and the onshore converter stations in an auction with a total order value of up to EUR 30 billion (USD 29.97bn).

"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 2 GW 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," said TenneT's COO Tim Meyerjuergens.

TenneT's efforts to expand its transmission capacity off the Dutch and German coasts come in line with an ambitious plan to turn the North Sea into Europe's green energy powerhouse. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium are targeting at least 65 GW of combined installed offshore wind capacity by 2030 and TenneT will be responsible for the transmission of 40 GW of the total to the German and Dutch mainland.

Currently, the operator has a 7.2-GW connection capacity in the German waters of the North Sea and around 2.8 GW off the Dutch coast.

(EUR 1 = USD 0.999)

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