Germany - Consortium of Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore could build converter systems for two offshore grid connections
Amprion Offshore GmbH has announced that it has commissioned Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore to build the converter stations for the offshore grid connection systems LanWin1 and LanWin3. The systems are scheduled to go into operation two or three years earlier than originally planned.
According to the company, due to the federal government’s acceleration targets, Amprion Offshore GmbH put the construction of the converters out to tender earlier than planned in autumn 2022. The plans call for LanWin1 to be operational as early as 2029 instead of 2031 and LanWin3 in 2030 instead of 2033. With a tendering and award phase of just three months, Amprion was able to complete the process in record time. The experiences from previous award procedures have been an important factor. Amprion has announced that the contract is worth more than four billion euros, including maintenance for ten years.
“We are working flat out to meet the federal government's accelerated goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. That's why we're delighted to have found two partners in Siemens Energy and Dragados Offshore who can implement our converters quickly and reliably," says Peter Barth, Managing Director of Amprion Offshore GmbH. With the 2 gigawatt converters, Amprion is entering the new performance class of offshore grid connection systems. "Together we will do important pioneering work on the way to climate neutrality," emphasizes Barth.
Amprion has announced that last summer, they commissioned the Spanish-German consortium to build the converters for DolWin4 and BorWin4 and that the companies promised a lanuch would be possible a year sooner that expected. Amprion is particularly pleased that even greater acceleration has now been promised for LanWin1 and LanWin3: “The market is currently extremely tense. In particular, the shipyard locations for converter platforms are scarce in Germany and Europe. That's why two or three years of acceleration is an enormous challenge," says Dr. Carsten Lehmköster, who, together with Barth, is the managing director of Amprion Offshore GmbH. “The commitment of our partners is an extremely important sign. We are now working together to implement the acceleration measures in order to meet the federal government’s goals.”
Source: Amprion