TenneT, the German transmission system operator, has energised the DolWin5 offshore wind grid link in the North Sea and begun commissioning, the company announced on Friday. The 900-MW project connects the Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm to Germany's onshore electricity network.

The system uses extra-high voltage direct current (EHVDC) technology to transmit power efficiently over a distance of 130 kilometres. Electricity generated by the offshore turbines at Borkum Riffgrund 3 is collected via 66-kV three-phase AC cables and sent to the DolWin epsilon offshore converter platform. Here, power is converted to DC and transmitted to Hamswehrum near the river Ems. Onshore cables then carry the electricity to the Emden converter station, where it is converted back into AC for integration into the extra-high voltage grid.

The 27,000-tonne DolWin epsilon platform was built by Seatrium Ltd (Singapore) and Aibel AS (Norway), with installation completed by TenneT during summer 2025. The Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm, developed by Ørsted A/S, has completed installation of its final turbine and will feed electricity directly to DolWin5, bypassing an offshore substation.

The completion of DolWin5 represents a significant step in Germany's efforts to expand offshore wind integration and strengthen its renewable energy infrastructure.

Source: renewablesnow.com