Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions have signed a contract with Vattenfall to deliver grid connection infrastructure for the latter’s 1800MW Norfolk Boreas offshore wind farm off east England.
The contractors will have responsibility for engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) onshore and offshore substations and connection to the National Grid.
The two companies are the preferred bidders to provide the power system to the full 3.6GW Norfolk zone.
Vattenfall head of business area wind Helene Biström said: “Developing state of the art HVDC technology like this and having such strong partners on board, underlines our position as one of Europe’s leading developers in offshore wind. We are very proud of this deal, which is an important step forward to fossil free living within one generation and a major opportunity for supply chain companies to contribute to one of the largest offshore wind zones in the world.”
Hauke Jürgensen, Senior Vice President High Voltage Grids at Siemens Energy, added: “The expansion of renewable energy is more important than ever – in order to achieve the energy transition, and to curbs the threats of climate change, but also to increase energy security. We look forward with Vattenfall and Aker Solutions to accelerate the development of offshore wind.”
Kenneth Simonsen, Senior Vice President of offshore wind at Aker Solutions, added: “The development of Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone could require up to three HVDC platforms in succession, which would provide more long-term predictability and positive repeat effects and standardization for the supplier industry.
“We are proud to support a project which meets the dual objective of developing local content while delivering low cost, green electricity to homes and businesses across the UK.”