The Port of Rotterdam has become the fifth partner in the North Sea Wind Power Hub Consortium which is developing the concept of a post-2030 European energy system in northwest Europe.
The port joins TenneT TSO BV of the Netherlands, Energinet of Denmark, Germany’s TenneT TSO GmbH and Gasunie of the Netherlands.
The Port of Rotterdam’s experience in seaward land reclamation for the Maasvlakte 2 Offshore Center is an important asset for the consortium, it said.
Port of Rotterdam chief executive Allard Castelein said: “The concept of a North Sea Wind Power Hub is an appealing prospect for the development of a large-scale, sustainable energy system in the North Sea.
“We really need to speed up efforts to develop large-scale offshore wind energy capacity, and ensure this capacity is effectively integrated into the relevant plans of the North Sea countries.”
The consortium wants to develop the hub by supplementing bilateral connections with an accelerated roll-out facilitated by 10-30GW offshore wind collection hubs between multiple North Sea countries.
Central to this vision is the construction of one or more so-called Power Link Islands or hubs with interconnections to the countries bordering the North Sea.
The consortium believes island-based solution will be 30% more cost-effective than HVDC converter platforms on individual jackets.
Image: Offshore Center Maasvlakte 2 (Port of Rotterdam)
Rotterdam joins grid hub club
Port becomes fifth partner in North Sea Wind Power Hub Consortium
By EBS