German grid operator 50Hertz awarded a consortium formed by Siemens Energy and Neptun Smulders Offshore Renewables (NSORe) the development of a converter system intended to connect future offshore wind farms in the North Sea to Germany’s power grid.
The contract includes the construction of an offshore converter platform and an onshore converter station. The project represents a significant step for the expansion of the infrastructure needed to integrate large volumes of offshore wind energy into the German electricity system.
Germany to manufacture 2 GW offshore platforms
According to 50Hertz, this will be the first time that offshore converter platforms designed under the new two-gigawatt standard will be primarily built in Germany.
Essential components will be manufactured in Rostock-Warnemünde, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, strengthening local industrial capacity to participate in strategic projects linked to the energy transition.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche highlighted that the award demonstrates the potential of the national industry and emphasized that only a limited number of global suppliers possess the technological capacity to build offshore converter platforms of this scale.
Essential Infrastructure for Offshore Wind Expansion
Converter platforms play an essential role in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, enabling large amounts of electricity generated in offshore wind farms to be transported over long distances with lower energy losses.
The awarded infrastructure will be part of Germany’s strategy to significantly increase offshore renewable generation capacity over the coming decades and strengthen electricity supply security.
50Hertz also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with NSORe and Siemens Energy for the potential contracting of a second similar converter system, which would expand the scope of the project.
Siemens Energy: Industrial Impact and Job Creation
If the second contract materializes, NSORe estimates that the total associated order volume could reach approximately 2.5 billion euros.
Most manufacturing and service activities would take place in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, generating over 500 permanent long-term jobs.
NSORe is a joint venture formed by Neptun Werft, part of the Meyer Werft group, and the Belgian company Smulders. The alliance with Siemens Energy combines capabilities in shipbuilding, offshore structures, and component manufacturing for marine energy projects.
The award reinforces Germany’s role as one of the leading European markets for offshore wind energy and demonstrates the growing demand for electrical infrastructure capable of supporting the expansion of renewables on the continent.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/
Photo: 50Hertz
