Portions of the DolWin 4 and BorWin 4 offshore grid connection systems being developed by German transmission system operator Amprion have been given the green light by the Office for Regional State Development Weser-Ems.
The authority has concluded that a spatial planning procedure for the southernmost section of the two projects is not necessary.
Amprion’s detailed feasibility study has shown its proposed installation is “compatible with the objectives and principles of spatial planning”.
The 900MW DolWin 4 and the 900MW BorWin 4 systems are planned to be commissioned in 2028 and 2029, respectively.
The two offshore systems will be connected to the Amprion grid in Lingen, a town in southwestern Lower Saxony.
The cables will cross the island of Norderney and reach the mainland in the coastal town Hagermarsch.
Amprion project manager Eric Zieschang said: “We were able to avoid delays thanks to the open and good cooperation and the pragmatic action of all those involved under the leadership of the Office for Regional State Development Weser-Ems.
“This is a good example for the network expansion for the energy transition to continue despite the coronavirus pandemic.”
Amprion can now start preparing the planning approval procedure between Wietmarschen and Lingen earlier than planned.
The grid operator is expected to start submitting the necessary application documents for the approval process at the end of 2022.
Project spokesman Stefan Sennekamp said: “Now that the spatial planning aspects have been clarified, we want to create opportunities for citizens to participate in the course of the year
“We hope that this will provide valuable information for further planning.”