BalWin1 HVDC Platform Steel Cutting Ceremony
The ceremonial steel cutting for the BalWin 1 offshore HVDC platform has commenced, marking the official start of production for one of the most ambitious grid connection projects in Germany. The event, held at major shipyards in Spain and Germany, celebrated the beginning of fabrication for the 2-gigawatt (GW) converter platforms that will form the backbone of the BalWin 1 and BalWin 2 projects.
A Leap in Offshore Transmission Capacity
The BalWin 1 and BalWin 2 platforms are among the first German offshore grid connections in the 2 GW power class—more than doubling the transmission capacity of previous projects. Once operational, the two platforms will deliver a combined 4 GW of renewable electricity to the German grid, enough to supply a major city. The BalWin 1 grid interconnection point will be located in southern Osnabrück, while BalWin 2 will connect in northern North Rhine-Westphalia.
European Collaboration at Scale
The project is a showcase of European industrial cooperation, with leading engineering and construction companies responsible for the platforms and their massive topside steelwork. The steel-cutting ceremony, a traditional industry marker, saw the first steel plates destined for the platform’s topside sections cut and readied for assembly.
This milestone is seen as both a technical achievement and a symbol of European collaboration. The BalWin 1 and BalWin 2 platforms set new standards in size and complexity, contributing to the energy transition alongside a range of partners.
Driving the European Energy Transition
The BalWin 1 and 2 projects are pivotal in offshore wind ambitions, providing critical infrastructure to transmit vast amounts of renewable energy from sea to shore. The platforms themselves are a leap from previous projects, each weighing approximately 56,500 tons including substructure, and are designed to operate in some of the harshest marine environments.
The steel cutting ceremony was attended by representatives from project partners and regional governments, underscoring the economic and strategic importance of offshore wind to the region.
