The first power to the Dutch grid was successfully delivered by the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm.
Even though it is still in testing, the first turbine is already producing electricity, which is fed into the grid and sent to shore via the alpha offshore transformation station.
34 foundations were laid during the first summer of construction on Hollandse Kust Zuid before it was put on hold for the winter. The installation of the remaining foundations, the wind turbines, and the inter array cables are all part of the second phase, which got under way in the spring of this year. A total of 36 turbines have been installed since the first one was built during Easter. It’s anticipated that the final turbine will be installed in the second quarter of 2023.
“We are immensely proud to reach this milestone. The delivery of power to the Dutch grid is an important moment, not just for us but also for all our partners, suppliers, contractors and all other parties who helped to get to this point. With Hollandse Kust Zuid we are working on the largest and first subsidy-free offshore wind farm in the world. It is wonderful to see our energization and first power plan come to fruition and we look forward to completing the wind farm in 2023,” says Ian Bremner, Project Director.
Contribution to energy goals
Between The Hague and Zandvoort, approximately 18–35 kilometers off the coast, lies the 225 km2 Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm. Each of the SG 11.0 200 DD turbines that will be put in place at Hollandse Kust Zuid has an 11 megawatt capacity. The wind farm generates enough electricity to supply 1,5 million Dutch households with its total capacity of 1.5 GW. Two offshore transformer stations constructed by TSO TenneT transmit the generated electricity to the onshore grid. These offshore substations gather all of the energy produced by the turbines and transfer it to the Dutch power grid. The Vattenfall, BASF, and Allianz-owned 225 km2 wind farm is expected to be fully operational in 2023.
Image source: Vattenfall
