TotalEnergies and RWE have announced a strategic partnership to develop the OranjeWind offshore wind project in the Netherlands. Each company will hold a 50% stake in the 795-megawatt (MW) wind farm, marking it as the first system integration project in the Dutch market.
The OranjeWind project, located in the North Sea approximately 53 kilometers off the coast of IJmuiden, aims to enhance grid stability by aligning intermittent wind power generation with flexible energy demand. The project will include electrolysers, battery storage, e-boilers, and smart charging solutions. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, with full commissioning expected by early 2028. The wind farm is anticipated to generate around 3 terawatt hours (TWh) of green electricity annually, enough to power over one million Dutch households.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, emphasized the strategic importance of the Netherlands and the partnership with TotalEnergies in realizing the project. He stated that the OranjeWind project will serve as a blueprint for future Dutch energy systems, addressing the challenges of intermittent wind generation and flexible demand.
Stéphane Michel, President of Gas, Renewables & Power at TotalEnergies, and Bernard Pinatel, President of Refining & Chemicals, noted that the project underscores their commitment to the energy transition. They highlighted its role in advancing green hydrogen production and supporting TotalEnergies’ decarbonization goals for its European refineries.
The OranjeWind project will also support innovative offshore technologies, including a floating solar farm in collaboration with SolarDuck, a seabed battery system with Verlume, and a pumped hydro-storage system with Ocean Grazer. Key supply chain partners include Vestas for turbines, SiF for foundations, and Jan De Nul for installation.
Source: rwe.com