Two important steps forward have been achieved for the DolWin 1 transmission project in the German North Sea. Installation of an offshore transformer station to serve the first wind farm to be connected to DolWin 1 has been completed, while an onshore converter station has been energised.
A two-day operation involving Seaway Heavy Lifting’s vessel, Oleg Strashnov, saw the 2,400t topside for the transformer station for Trianel's Borkum West 2 phase 1 installed and welded to its foundation.
Meanwhile, ABB has successfully energised its ‘HVDC Light’ converter station at Dörpen West substation. This represents the crucial onshore element of the DolWin 1 project.
Completion of the cable connection to shore is due during Q3, in order to be ready for the 200MW first phase of Borkum West 2.
Installation of 40 Areva 5MW turbines will begin next month at the Borkum West 2 site. The work is expected to take 6 months. Full commissioning of the wind farm’s first phase is now scheduled for Q4.
