Five European transmission system operators (TSOs) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on offshore cable infrastructure in the North Sea.
The agreement, signed at WindEurope’s Annual Event in Madrid, involves Elia (Belgium), Energinet (Denmark), 50Hertz (Germany), and TenneT, which operates in Germany and the Netherlands.
This initiative seeks to enhance the affordability, efficiency, and reliability of Europe’s electricity system, amid growing offshore wind capacity and cross-border interconnections, the TSOs stated on 23 April.
Over at least one year, TSOs will explore strategic and technical collaborations on offshore cable systems. This includes sharing expertise on repair procedures, spare parts, fault detection, and mapping available vessels and materials.
Four thematic working groups will focus on repair logistics, spare parts, fault detection, and legal and financial frameworks. Their aim is to find scalable solutions to reduce downtime, improve repair efficiency, and limit system impacts.
Subsea high-voltage cables are vital for Europe’s electricity system, facilitating offshore wind energy and cross-border power flows. Disruptions can have significant economic and societal impacts.
“With the growth of offshore wind, subsea cable reliability is crucial. Joining forces with fellow TSOs enhances the network’s robustness and resource deployment. This cooperation benefits all of Europe,” stated Frédéric Dunon, Elia CEO.
The initiative is open to other members of the Offshore TSO Collaboration (OTC) group and may develop into long-term cooperation if the initial phase proves beneficial.
Earlier this year, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK signed an investment pact with the offshore wind industry and TSOs, aiming to mobilize EUR 1 trillion in economic activity.
As part of the agreement, TSOs will identify cost-effective cooperation projects in the North Sea, including 20 GW of cross-border projects by 2027 for deployment in the 2030s.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz