Transmission system operator TenneT has awarded a multi-year framework agreement to Petrofac and Hitachi Energy to supply offshore platforms and onshore converter stations for its 2 GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore wind program the Netherlands and Germany.

The program aims to integrate bulk renewables into European power grids. Petrofac and Hitachi will execute all six projects valued at over €2 billion (~$2.2 billion) each, which would be split equally between them.

Each project comprises the EPCI of an offshore HVDC transmission station, onshore converter station and associated infrastructure.

Each connection system will have a capacity of 2 GW and a voltage level of 525 kV. The five connection systems will connect offshore wind farms to the Dutch grid, while the sixth system will connect to the German grid.

The first contract for the Ijmuiden Ver Alpha project was awarded immediately. The second contract, Nederwiek 1, is anticipated to be awarded later this year. The other four projects– Doordewind 1, Doordewind 2, Nederwiek 3, and LanWin5- are expected to be awarded between 2024 and 2026.

Petrofac will undertake the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of the offshore platforms and elements of the onshore converter stations.

Hitachi Energy will supply its HVDC converter stations, which convert AC power to DC offshore and DC to AC onshore.

“We have already secured key resources and the yard capacity required to expedite the first two projects in TenneT’s ground-breaking program. By combining Petrofac’s industry-leading EPCI expertise and Hitachi Energy’s well-proven technology, we look forward to supporting TenneT to connect larger, more effective wind farms to deliver affordable clean energy for millions of European homes,” said Sami Iskander, Petrofac’s Group Chief Executive.

Earlier this month, Germany’s Federal Network Agency launched a new offshore wind auction to install 1.8 GW of offshore wind power projects in the North Sea, with an expected grid connection date of 2028.

The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency published the area development plan 2023 aimed at helping Germany achieve its target of expanding offshore wind energy to 30 GW by 2030. The plan included mappings for deploying wind turbines in the North and Baltic Seas, where the country sees immense potential for offshore wind.