Transmission operator TenneT expects to connect 7.1GW of offshore wind capacity in Germany by 2019, ahead of the German government’s target of 6.5GW by 2020.
TenneT said that in 2015 it installed five new DC offshore connection systems in Germany bringing available capacity for transporting wind energy generated at sea to 4.3GW.
The company said its investments in Germany had helped to drive positive results in 2015.
The company’s earnings before interest and tax increased to €1.075bn in 2015 up from €725m in 2014.
The increased EBIT was also helped by developments in the Netherlands, TenneT said.
For example, the “reversal of an earlier impairment due to a favourable decision by the Dutch administrative court related to regulation applicable to TenneT, the release of offshore provisions, as delays and interruptions of offshore connection systems have become less likely, and reimbursement of offshore operating expenses in excess of actual costs incurred, as not all of TenneT’s offshore links were fully operational yet in 2015”.
The company said it is also expecting to be appointed by the Dutch government to design, build and manage an offshore grid on the North Sea that will make 3.5GW of wind energy available for the Netherlands by 2023.
“TenneT is continuing according to plan with its preparations for the realization of an offshore AC grid in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, under the Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2015,” the company said.
Image: cable laying in the German North Sea (TenneT)
TenneT looks ahead in Germany
7.1GW of offshore links planned by 2019, exceeding government target
By EBS