TenneT launches massive HVDC cable tender for 2 GW offshore platforms

Transmission system operator TenneT has announced a large-scale high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable tender for offshore grid connections in the German North Sea and the Dutch North Sea.

TenneT will need direct current cables for at least ten connection systems for wind energy transmission from sea to land in Germany and the Netherlands.

Earlier this summer, the TSO launched a qualification system for the delivery of 2 GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) offshore platforms and HVDC converter systems.

”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,” Tim Meyerjürgens, COO TenneT, said.

”That was the first step, and now we are following up with another large-scale tender for our innovative 525 kV 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 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.”

Under this tender, TenneT plans to agree a second cooperation with key market partners for a period of up to eight years. This agreement covers the 525 kV 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.

The tender is part of TenneT’s EUR 30 billion drive to connect 40 GW of new offshore wind capacity in Germany and the Netherlands by 2030.

Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium have agreed to install at least 65 GW of offshore wind energy together by 2030. At 40 GW, almost two-thirds of this is accounted for by TenneT, with 20 GW each in the German and Dutch North Seas.

On top of this, Energy Ministers from the members of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) and the European Commission have recently announced a significant increase in their collective ambition in the deployment of offshore renewable energy until 2050.

The challenge is immense, TenneT said, as this new approach will provide both growth opportunities and maximum planning security for all supply chains involved.

“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,” Meyerjürgens said.

”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 2 gigawatt program. We are thus consistently pursuing our new path of cooperation with industrial partners in order to meet the challenges of the ambitious offshore expansion targets set by the governments of Germany and the Netherlands.’‘