TenneT has signed framework agreements for the future supply of Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and power transformers for the offshore power grid. This equipment will form the 'heart' of five offshore platforms that will transmit the power from five new wind locations to the high voltage grid on land. The transformers will be supplied by CG Power Systems Belgium and the GIS by Alstom Grid Netherlands, which is a subsidiary of Grid Solutions, a GE and Alstom joint venture.
Standardization
Marco Kuijpers, senior manager for Offshore NL at TenneT: ‘The power transformers and the GIS are the heart of our platforms, and they are the first parts we buy for the offshore grid. With the framework agreement in place for all platforms, we have taken a major step towards standardisation. As a result, we have the same equipment on every platform, we can optimise the size of the platform and we can, for example, save on maintenance and spare parts’.
Jean-Michel Aubertin, President of CG Power Systems stated: ‘We are delighted to stand next to TenneT and support their innovative approach in the offshore wind industry. CG being selected on their ability to propose the most optimized solution and their recognized offshore experience is a perfect reward to the efforts we are constantly putting to develop innovative solutions matching Total Cost of Ownership requirements.’
Jean Nakache, Grid Solution's General Manager Gas Insulated Substations says: ‘The transmission of affordable offshore wind energy in the Netherlands is an important step to meet the country’s renewable energy targets. It is an honor to be a part of such a significant project, bringing clean energy to the Dutch people'
TenneT has been designated as the Dutch offshore grid operator, developing the offshore grid. 3,500 megawatts of new offshore wind energy are to be connected to the onshore high voltage grid before 2023. This will be done at the lowest possible cost and with minimal impact on the environment. It includes the construction of five offshore platforms - two for the Borssele wind farm area, two for the Dutch Coast South wind farm area and one for the Dutch Coast North wind farm area. Each platform is equipped with two 230/66/66 kV /400 MVA power transformers, one 66 kV GIS and one 230 kV GIS. The first two power transformers and GIS systems will be in operation after the summer of 2019, on the Borssele Alpha platform.
