TenneT has awarded cable specialists NKT and Prysmian to install the world’s largest offshore cable systems to date for Dutch 2 GW projects.
NKT and Prysmian will install five 525 kV XLPE HVDC cable connections for Dutch 2 GW projects to be completed between 2028 and 2030. The scope of work in the contracts includes design, engineering, production, delivery, project management, offshore-, nearshore- and inshore installation of 525 kV HVDC cables and all jointing works in submarine and land sections.
NKT – IJmuiden Ver Beta & Gamma and Nederwiek 2
NKT will realise the cable connections for IJmuiden Ver Beta, IJmuiden Ver Gamma and Nederwiek 2, landing onshore at Maasvlakte (Port of Rotterdam). The projects have a combined order value of approx. EUR 2bn, making the award a new company record for NKT as the largest combination of orders ever received. NKT will design, produce, install and commission approx.1,700 km of 525 kV XLPE high-voltage direct current (HVDC) covering both on- and offshore power cable systems for the project lots.
Prysmian – IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1
Prysmian has been awarded a contract for the cable connections of IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1, landing onshore at Sloegebied (Zeeland). IJmuiden Ver Alpha is an offshore grid connection system with around 176 km of route length (of which about 164 km offshore), while Nederwiek 1 has a total route length of approximately 217 km (of which 208 km offshore). According to Prysmian, the contracts are worth approximately €1.8 billion in aggregate. Submarine cables will be manufactured at Prysmian Group’s centres in Pikkala (Finland) and Arco Felice (Italy), while land cables will be produced in Gron (France). Marine installation operations will be performed by Prysmian`s cable laying vessels and in partnership with Deme Group.
The selected parties expect to start activities this year. Onshore cable laying activities starts in 2025, offshore cable laying activities are expected to start in 2026. All projects are expected to be in operation between 2028 and 2030.
High sustainability and safety standards
TenneT challenged market parties in this tender with high sustainability and safety standards. Suppliers are encouraged to minimize environmental impact with strong CO2 and NOx emission reductions. To reduce the carbon footprint, suppliers will use recycled copper. Challenging suppliers in safety by design and safety culture, helps in TenneT’s ambition to eliminate safety incidents. To meet these standards, cable suppliers will invest in new production capacity, vessels and trenching tools when needed.
Innovative cooperation TenneT and market parties
A 2 GW direct current (HVDC) solution, based on 525 kV, requires only one cable system, limiting the impact on the environment and the surroundings. One cable system will consist of four cables, a ‘plus’ and ‘minus’ pole cable, a metallic return cable and a fibre optic cable. Since cooperation is crucial in the energy transition, TenneT together with market parties started developing a research and development (R&D) initiative for a 2 GW, 525 kV XLPE HVDC grid connection system in 2020. To transport the required 2GW power, an offshore cable system operating at a voltage level 525 kV HVDC using extruded insulation types is needed. With a design and layout study for the offshore platform a generic platform was designed, to enable interoperability of the proprietary solutions offered by all HVDC suppliers participating in the R&D phase. The intensive interaction between TenneT and the market parties involved has resulted in providing insights on the required functionality and performance of the innovative HVDC system and led to certification of cable suppliers in 2022. Source: TenneT
