TenneT Delivers First Transformers to 2GW Offshore Wind Converter Station in Rotterdam
Dutch grid operator TenneT has completed the transport of the first three transformers for its 2GW offshore wind converter station at Maasvlakte in Rotterdam.
The transformers, each weighing up to 400 tonnes and standing more than seven metres tall, were moved approximately 5.5 kilometres from a container terminal to the construction site during the night of April 18. The operation required complex logistics, including transporting units measuring around 20 metres in length and crossing railway infrastructure.
The three units are part of a total shipment of seven transformers, which arrived from Liverpool earlier this year. TenneT confirmed that the remaining four transformers are scheduled to be transported in May.
Once installed, the transformers will play a key role in processing electricity generated by the IJmuiden Ver Beta and Gamma offshore wind farms. These projects are part of the Netherlands’ broader push to expand offshore wind capacity and increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid.
The Maasvlakte converter station is designed to handle high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity generated offshore and convert it into 380kV alternating current (AC) for transmission onshore. This technology is essential for efficiently transporting large volumes of power over long distances.
According to TenneT, the system uses a new generation of HVDC technology, operating at higher voltage levels and requiring advanced cooling and noise reduction systems.
At the site, the transported transformers have been placed in their final positions and will now undergo further assembly and connection. This process includes filling each unit with more than 100,000 litres of insulation and cooling oil.
Commissioning of the converter station will take place in phases over the coming years. Once operational, the system will supply electricity to the Rotterdam port area, including infrastructure such as the Amaliahaven high-voltage substation.
The project is also expected to support emerging applications such as large-scale hydrogen production, reflecting the growing role of integrated energy systems in the transition to low-carbon energy.
Source: renews.biz
