Hitachi Energy and Aibel have inked separate framework agreements with German renewable energy giant RWE, aiming to expedite the incorporation of offshore wind power into the grid through multiple high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems.

The recent agreements stem from a Capacity Reservation Agreement (CRA) signed in November, reserving engineering and production capacity for the development of three significant HVDC projects. These projects will facilitate the transmission of electricity from offshore wind farms to onshore connection points.

RWE has opted for a split contract model, contracting Hitachi Energy and Aibel for different aspects. Hitachi Energy will supply voltage source converter (VSC) systems to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for long-distance transmission, while Aibel will handle the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of the offshore platforms.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, emphasized the importance of securing early engineering and production capacity to integrate future offshore wind farms into the grid effectively. Niklas Persson, managing director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership in supporting countries' carbon neutrality goals.

The framework agreements provide a roadmap for handling current and potential future projects, allowing Hitachi Energy and Aibel to manage resources efficiently and streamline operations. This collaboration reflects Hitachi Energy's commitment to providing innovative solutions to support customers in transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

These projects mark the latest in a series of collaborations between Hitachi Energy and Aibel since their strategic partnership announcement in 2016. Notable projects include converter stations for prominent offshore wind farms in the UK and Germany.

Source: Power Engineering International