Vattenfall, Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions AS have signed a grid contract for a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) project to connect renewable energy onto the UK’s National Grid.

Courtesy 123rf

The contract will see Vattenfall deliver grid connection infrastructure for the Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm off the British coast.

As part of the contract, Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions will be responsible for engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the HVDC onshore and offshore substations and connection to the National Grid.

Helene Biström, head of business area wind at Vattenfall, stated on the project, “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 curb the threats of climate change, but also to increase energy security. We look forward [to working] with Vattenfall and Aker Solutions to accelerate the development of offshore wind”.

Norfolk Boreas

Located 47km off the Norfolk coast in south east Britain, with an installed capacity of 1.4GW, Norfolk Boreas is the first phase of Vattenfall’s Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. It will deliver its first power in 2027.

Once complete, the Zone can produce renewable energy equivalent to the needs of over four million households and save up to six million tons of carbon dioxide.

Kenneth Simonsen, senior vice president of offshore wind energy at Aker Solutions, said: “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 standardisation 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.”

According to Vattenfall, HVDC technology offers one of the most efficient means of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances.