German transmission system operator 50Hertz has contracted a consortium of Siemens Energy and Neptun Smulders Offshore Renewables (NSORe) to deliver the converter system for the North Sea Connector 2 grid connection project, set to transmit up to 2 GW of offshore wind power from the North Sea to the German mainland.
The contract includes an offshore converter platform and an onshore converter station, with commissioning planned by the end of 2034.
The North Sea Connector 2 integrates the offshore grid connection LanWin6 and the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) connection DC32 as part of NordOstLink.
In 2023, 50Hertz also awarded contracts to power cable manufacturers NKT and Prysmian for systems covering several projects, such as SuedOstLink+ and Ostwind 4.
The offshore converter platform will be located around 200 kilometers west of Sylt in the German North Sea, while the onshore converter station will be situated near Mühlenbeck, connecting to the transmission network in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
This marks the first offshore converter platforms using Germany’s new 2 GW standard, predominantly built within the country, according to 50Hertz.
NSORe, a joint venture between Neptun Werft and Smulders, will fabricate the platform. The construction will occur at Neptun Werft’s Rostock-Warnemünde shipyard, and Smulders will handle the steel jacket foundation in Vlissingen, Netherlands.
Siemens Energy will provide the electrical transmission technology, including transformers and converters, mostly from German facilities in Nuremberg and Berlin.
Siemens Energy also secured a long-term service agreement for maintenance and support.
The consortium is tasked with the full project delivery, covering design, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning.
50Hertz is negotiating another converter platform project, North Sea Connector 1, with NSORe, involving the LanWin3 offshore grid connection and DC31 HVDC link. Siemens Energy and Prysmian hold contracts for high-voltage technology and cables, respectively.
If finalized, the projects represent a combined value of about EUR 2.5 billion for NSORe, focusing on manufacturing and services in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
50Hertz expects the projects to create over 500 jobs across participating companies in the region.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz