Image credit: TenneT

The Hengelo Oele high-voltage substation in Overijssel is undergoing a major upgrade aimed at resolving voltage issues on the Twente electricity grid.

Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has begun replacing four aging 380,000/110,000-volt transformers at the site. The upgrade is intended to address rising voltage levels and increasing pressure on the regional high-voltage network, driven by growing electricity demand and the expansion of renewable energy generation.

The first three transformers were transported earlier this week from Schiedam to Hengelo. Heavy lifting specialist Mammoet handled the initial loading operations, while logistics company Wagenborg carried out the final transport and positioning at the substation. A fourth transformer is scheduled to arrive on 19 March.

According to Maarten Abbenhuis, Chief Operating Officer of TenneT, the replacement has been prioritised to maintain grid stability as components are increasingly operating near their technical limits.

The project will be carried out in phases. One existing transformer will be taken out of service at a time and replaced with a new unit, ensuring that three transformers remain operational throughout the process to avoid supply interruptions. All four new transformers are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2027.

The upgrade forms part of a broader effort to expand capacity on the Twente high-voltage grid, which, like many regions in the Netherlands, is facing congestion challenges.

Source: tennet.eu