TenneT selects Dura Vermeer, BAM Infra Nederland, and Visser & Smit Bouw for 2GW land-based station construction in the Netherlands

TenneT selects Dura Vermeer, BAM Infra Nederland, and Visser & Smit Bouw for 2GW land-based station construction in the Netherlands

(IN BRIEF) TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator, has chosen Dura Vermeer, BAM Infra Nederland, and Visser & Smit Bouw to undertake the civil engineering works for land-based stations for 2GW offshore wind projects in the Netherlands. The new 2GW standard will ensure that the power generated by offshore wind farms is brought ashore through a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connection. The land stations will convert the direct current into alternating current and transform the voltage to make it suitable for the Dutch high voltage grid. The framework agreement could be extended for new 2GW projects announced within the contract’s term. At least eight land-based stations are expected to be constructed by 2030, with construction set to begin in 2024, and the first delivery of the civil engineering work expected in 2026.

(PRESS RELEASE) ARNHEM, 22-Feb-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  TenneT, a Dutch-German transmission system operator (TSO), announces that it has selected Dura Vermeer, BAM Infra Nederland, and Visser & Smit Bouw to undertake the civil engineering works for the construction of land-based stations for the 2GW offshore wind projects in the Netherlands. These stations are a crucial link between the offshore wind farms and the high-voltage grid, converting the direct current generated by the wind farms to alternating current and transforming the voltage to make it suitable for the Dutch high voltage grid. The three firms will undertake the building and installations of these land stations in a framework agreement, which could be extended for new 2GW projects that are announced within the term of the contract.

According to TenneT, these land stations will be constructed according to a new 2GW standard, and the power generated by the offshore wind farms will be brought ashore through a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connection. At least eight land-based stations are expected to be built by 2030, and the basic design of these stations has already been completed. The three firms are now involved in making the detailed design to ensure that the right solutions are chosen.

Marco Kuijpers, Director Large Projects Offshore TenneT: “On the quality aspect, it’s about proven experience and expertise. On safety and sustainability, the parties that have made progressive proposals to work as safely and sustainably as possible have been selected. For example, the roofs of buildings are built on the ground and then installed as a whole, reducing the need to work at height. To fulfil the ambition of ‘TenneT’s most sustainable land station’, the parties were selected for their sustainability expertise. Thus, already during the design phase, the biggest polluting resources such as steel and concrete can be minimised and replaced by a sustainable alternative. These include wood and recycled concrete. By looking at the entire life cycle of the building, the least amount of pollution is controlled and low-emission vehicles and equipment are used as much as possible during construction. The limited outdoor space is also designed to maximise biodiversity while maintaining a safe working environment.”

The selection process for the civil engineering works tender focused on quality, safety, and sustainability. According to TenneT’s project director, working jointly on the designs will contribute to the standardization of the concept and ensure that there are fewer surprises later in the process.

The construction of the land stations is set to begin in 2024, with the first delivery of the civil engineering work expected in 2026. The new 2GW standard is expected to enhance the efficiency and reliability of offshore wind power generation and is a significant step in the Netherlands’ transition to sustainable energy.

About the 2GW Program
At present, TenneT’s connection capacity is around 7.2GW in the German North Sea and around 2.8GW in the Dutch North Sea. TenneT’s innovative 2GW program plays a crucial role in managing the energy transition from offshore and will help Europe become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. This new standard combines our extensive expertise in offshore grid connections with a unique transnational approach. With its strong focus on harmonisation and standardisation, it provides a blueprint for future offshore grid connection systems and enables faster deployment. At the same time, the larger capacity of two gigawatts per system reduces the number of grid connections required. The 2GW program sets a new pace for the European energy transition. It will provide Europe and its inhabitants with more green energy in a safe and cost-effective way – with the lowest possible environmental impact.

About TenneT
TenneT is a leading European grid operator. We are committed to providing a secure and reliable supply of electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, while helping to drive the energy transition in our pursuit of a brighter energy future – more sustainable, reliable and affordable than ever before. In our role as the first cross-border Transmission System Operator (TSO) we design, build, maintain and operate 24,500 km of high-voltage electricity grid in the Netherlands and large parts of Germany, and facilitate the European energy market through our 16 interconnectors to neighbouring countries.

Media contact:
press@tennet.eu

SOURCE: TENNET