TenneT proposes "Wind connector" in North Sea

TenneT Holding BV today presented a plan for building an island in the North Sea to connect over 30 GW of offshore wind farms and deliver power to countries in the region.

The Netherlands-headquartered transmission system operator (TSO) says the most suitable location for that island will be the Dogger Bank. There, the company proposes a large European electricity system in which large offshore wind farms are combined with international electricity highways (spokes) interconnected by a centrally built island (hub).

TenneT’s island will be built using modular structures. It will be surrounded by wind farms, the alternating current (AC) connection of which will be cheaper because of the relatively short distances. From the island, the wind power will be distributed and transmitted over direct current (DC) cables to countries such as the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Norway, Germany and Denmark. The same DC cables will act as interconnections between these markets.

TenneT stressed on the “hub and spoke” concept’s multiple advantages. Apart from reducing offshore wind connection costs, the island also eliminates the need to build converter stations on platforms in the sea. Also, the island offers a permanent place for workers, and a joint base for storage of components such as wind turbines and blades. It will allow the use of joint maintenance and transportation facilities.

The TSO’s vision seeks to make carbon dioxide reduction targets feasible and affordable.

“It will be very important for the six European North Sea countries to be willing, in due course, to make their targets independent of national borders, which means agreeing that the electrons generated offshore must not necessarily be transmitted to their own country,” said CEO Mel Kroon.

The company will enter into talks with the EU and Member States to see whether the required European cooperation can be set up. Factors that play an important role include legislation, regulation, targets and financing.

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