ABB has installed DolWin Beta offshore wind converter platform in the German North Sea.
European transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT had previously selected ABB to design, engineer, supply and install the station, which is part of the DolWin2 project.
TenneT will use the 800MW DolWin1, DolWin2 and 900MW DolWin3 offshore connections to link wind turbines at sea to the German grid.
The DolWin Beta station will convert the energy produced by wind farms from alternating current into high-voltage direct current. The electricity will be transported onshore through subsea cables.
It will be housed on an offshore platform and the 320kv converter station will have a capacity to transmit 916MW power.
ABB said the complete platform including substructure weighs about 23,000 tons and is approximately 100m long, 70m wide and 100m tall.
ABB Power Systems division president Claudio Facchin said: "Putting such a huge platform in place is one of the most delicate operations in the delivery of an offshore power link, requiring intensive pre-planning and cooperation between the stakeholders involved and we are pleased that this important project landmark has gone smoothly."
DolWin2 is part of Germany’s energy transition roadmap, dubbed Energiewende, which expects to increase offshore wind generation capacity to more than 6.5GW by 2020 and 15GW by 2030.
Earlier this year, TenneT unveiled plans to invest about €20bn over the next ten years.
The TSO, which has activities in the Netherlands and Germany, invested €2.3bn in both the countries’ grids in 2014.
Image: The DolWin Beta offshore wind converter platform is part of the DolWin2 project. Photo: courtesy of ABB.