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Iv-Offshore & Energy signs FEED contract for of the world’s first 525 kV offshore grid connection  Iv-Offshore & Energy

Green electricity to roughly four million households

On February 26, 2020, the signing ceremony of the contract for the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) took place between TenneT TSO B.V. and Iv-Offshore & Energy B.V. for the first offshore grid connection.

Iv-Offshore & Energy recently won the European tendering phase for this project. The FEED is part of the development of a new standard design for two (Alpha and Beta) network connections to the IJmuiden Ver wind farms. The two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) platforms located in the North Sea will have a capacity of 2 Gigawatts (GW) and will be the first HVDC platforms in the world to be based on 525 kilovolts. This level of voltage represents just one example of the HV technologies that have never before been applied offshore. Thanks to this innovative method, the platforms will be suitably equipped to supply green electricity to roughly four million households. That means sustainable electricity for about half of all private households in the Netherlands. Approximately 160 wind turbines are expected to be connected to each platform to generate this sustainable electricity.

A new standard for the future

The platform design from Iv-Offshore & Energy will contribute to a new standard for the future 2GW HVDC platforms from TenneT. The large capacity and the fact that this offshore technology has never been applied before is what makes this project unique. During the entire design process, trade-offs will be made with regard to the lowest 'Levelized Costs of Energy' (LCOE) and improving nature (nature inclusive design). In addition to social cost benefits, it is also the intention that the natural world can benefit from this project too. Environmental measures have been integrated as basic conditions in the design criteria of the HVDC platforms. Ultimately, there must be a design brought to the table that keeps the social costs of sustainable electricity affordable, whilst at the same time contributing to the enhancement of the natural environment. For example, the possibility of constructing a fish hotel is being investigated. This would strengthen the natural ecosystem and provide shelter and a living environment for young fish and other aquatic life.

Dutch engineering company Iv-Offshore & Energy is already successful for many years in the offshore wind energy sector. We are proud to contribute our technical knowledge to further the development of sustainable electricity. 

Would you like to know more about this project or our offshore energy services? Fedor will be pleased to tell you more. Please contact him via 088 943 2802 or send an email.
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