Siemens Energy and Aker to deliver grid infrastructure
Vattenfall has selected Siemens Energy Global GmbH, and Aker Solutions to develop grid infrastructure for 3.6 GW Norfolk offshore wind zone.
Image for illustration purposes
UK, Norfolk: Vattenfall has selected Siemens Energy Global GmbH, and Aker Solutions to develop grid infrastructure for 3.6 GW Norfolk offshore wind zone.
The Norfolk offshore wind zone consists of the Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas wind farms. The grid connection infrastructure will use HVDC technology.
Bidders were evaluated on criteria including experience, health and safety, environmental sustainability and quality management, Vattenfall said. The announcement also provides certainty for local supply chains to begin engaging to discuss sub-contracting opportunities.
“We are extremely confident both in our choice of preferred bidder and in our decision to use innovative HVDC technology,” Catrin Jung, Head of Business Unit Offshore at Vattenfall, said.
Located some 47 km off the coast of Norfolk at their nearest point, the two wind farms will feature between 180 and 312 wind turbines. The project’s export cables will make landfall at Happisburgh and share an underground cable corridor to the onshore substation.
The wind farms are expected to be operational in the mid-late 2020s. Norfolk Vanguard has been granted consent and Norfolk Boreas is in the examination phase. The decision on Norfolk Boreas’ Development Consent Order (DCO) is expected this April. The projects are expected to compete in the contracts for difference auction in 2021/22.
“Vattenfall’s Norfolk developments will use cutting-edge technology. These types of projects are always a partnership, and we are very happy with the expertise which will oversee the HVDC converter infrastructure,” Rob Anderson, Vattenfall Project Director for Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas, said.
“In addition, this appointment will give the local supply chain the opportunity to begin engaging to explore the huge opportunities on offer at what will be the largest offshore zone in the world.”
Source: Offshore Wind