Siemens Energy and Aker to Deliver Grid Infrastructure for 3.6 GW Offshore Wind Zone in UK

Vattenfall has selected a consortium of Siemens Energy Limited, Siemens Energy Global GmbH, and Aker Solutions as the preferred bidder to develop grid connection infrastructure for its 3.6 GW Norfolk offshore wind zone.

The Norfolk offshore wind zone consists of the Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas wind farms.

The grid connection infrastructure will use High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology.

If Vattenfall proceeds with this development, the intention is to conclude an EPCI contract where the consortium of Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions will deliver HVDC converter platforms for the grid connection infrastructure, Aker said.

Bidders were evaluated on criteria including experience, health and safety, environmental sustainability and quality management, Vattenfall said. The announcement also provides certainty for local supply chains to begin engaging to discuss sub-contracting opportunities.

Aker Solutions has an existing operations base in Great Yarmouth, and offices in Reading, and Aberdeen. Siemens Energy Limited has offices in Manchester and an operations centre in Newcastle.

”We’re extremely confident both in our choice of preferred bidder and in our decision to use innovative HVDC technology,” Catrin Jung, Head of Business Unit Offshore at Vattenfall, said.

”Siemens Energy-Aker Solutions excelled during the feasibility and concept stage, bringing strong technical capabilities to the process.”

Located some 47 kilometres off the coast of Norfolk at their nearest point, the two wind farms will feature between 180 and 312 wind turbines. The project’s export cables will make landfall at Happisburgh and share an underground cable corridor to the onshore substation.

The wind farms are expected to be operational in the mid-late 2020s. Norfolk Vanguard has been granted consent and Norfolk Boreas is in the Examination phase. The decision on Norfolk Boreas’ Development Consent Order (DCO) is expected this April.

The projects are expected to compete in the Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction in 2021/22.

”Vattenfall’s Norfolk developments will use cutting-edge technology. These types of projects are always a partnership, and we’re very happy with the expertise which will oversee the HVDC converter infrastructure,” Rob Anderson, Vattenfall Project Director for Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas, said.

”In addition, this appointment will give the local supply chain the opportunity to begin engaging to explore the huge opportunities on offer at what will be the largest offshore zone in the world.”