German developer RWE has submitted bids for the two Hollandse Kust West offshore wind leases off the coast of the Netherlands that each have the potential to generate over 760MW.
The company has submitted bids for both HKW site 6 and 7 located in the North Sea, about 53km off the Dutch coast.
RWE’s proposed design for HKW site 6 endeavours to have a positive net impact for the North Sea ecosystem, while the company’s concept for HKW site 7 is a blueprint for the integration of offshore wind farms into the Dutch energy system, including 600MW electrolyser capacity onshore with access to storage capacity.
RWE plans to build the offshore wind farm at site 6 in harmony with the ecosystem, and mitigate negative effects on flora and fauna – above and below sea level – whilst taking steps towards rewilding the North Sea.
It said innovations will be implemented to allow birds and bats to fly safely between the turbines and under the rotor swept area.
RWE intends to rewild the area by adding artificial reefs and floating gardens.
Safeguarding the ecosystem is also a key issue during construction and RWE will make use of special vibro piling techniques.
RWE will also invest in a comprehensive research and development (R&D) programme with partners including universities and research institutes from the Netherlands.
It aims to foster local research on innovations and businesses, including the creation of many new research and PhD positions.
The company also plans to set up a multi-technology monitoring system at HKW 6, and will share knowledge widely and freely to enable all stakeholders in offshore wind to do as much for ecology as possible.
At HKW 7, RWE will focus on combining the offshore wind warm with 600MW onshore electrolysers for green hydrogen production , supplying hydrogen and electricity to existing partners and new customers within Dutch industry.
The company intends to integrate e-boilers for heating, battery storage and charging solutions for electric vehicles.
Large parts of the investments are planned in the Groningen and Brabant areas in close collaboration with partners in those regions.
RWE will also support innovators and startups in demonstrating their innovation in an operational environment.
RWE offshore wind chief executive Sven Utermohlen said: “RWE is clearly committed to contribute to the Dutch government’s ambitions for offshore wind and we are pleased to have submitted our bids in the Hollandse Kust West tender.
“Based on our 20 years of experience in developing, constructing and operating offshore wind farms in close cooperation with the communities we are active in, we have proposed unique concepts for sites 6 and 7.
“Our design proposal for HKW 6 integrates innovations to build and operate the wind farm in harmony with the North Sea ecosystem.
“To foster local research and businesses, we will also invest in a comprehensive R&D programme on offshore wind with leading partners from the Netherlands.
“To unlock full system integration of offshore wind farms, our concept for HKW 7 demonstrates a perfect match of supply and demand through combining offshore wind with 600MW electrolyser capacity for green hydrogen production, and other flexible demand solutions like e-boilers and battery storage.
“We are convinced that our bid will be a blueprint for developing a new generation of offshore wind farms in the North Sea and beyond.”