2 GW Programme IJmuiden Ver

On February 26th of 2020, Iv-Offshore & Energy signed the contract with TenneT TSO b.v. to carry out the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for the world’s first 525 kV offshore grid connection. The FEED is part of the development of a new standard design for two network connections to the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farms, located in the North Sea.

The two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) platforms, Alpha and Beta, will have a capacity of 2 Gigawatts (GW) and will be the first HVDC platforms in the world based on 525 kV. This level of voltage represents just one example of the HV technologies that have never before been applied offshore.

Because of this innovatively high level of voltage, the platform will be suitably equipped to supply green electricity to roughly four million households. Herewith, roughly half of all private households in the Netherlands could besupplied with suitable electricity.

The technology necessary for this capacity has never been applied before, which makes this project unique. During the entire design process, trade-offs will be made with regard to the lowest “Levelised Costs of Energy (LCOE)” and improving nature. It is Iv-Offshore & Energy and TenneT’s intention that nature can benefit from this project. Therefore, environmental measures have been integrated as basic conditions in the design criteria of the HVDC platforms. The Alpha Platform is scheduled to be handed over in 2024. The Beta platform will be handed over in 2025.