DolWin Epsilon Platform Successfully Installed
TenneT has achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of Europe’s offshore grid infrastructure with the successful installation of the DolWin Epsilon HVDC converter platform in the North Sea within the last 24 hours. This achievement comes on the heels of the recent installation of the BorWin Epsilon platform, underscoring the rapid progress of TenneT’s offshore grid connection projects.
Key Step Toward 10 GW Milestone
Both DolWin Epsilon and BorWin Epsilon are integral components of TenneT’s DolWin5 and BorWin5 offshore grid connection systems, which are scheduled for commissioning in 2025. Once operational, these systems will bring TenneT Germany close to reaching the 10 GW mark for offshore wind grid connections—a crucial benchmark for securing Europe’s renewable energy supply and supporting the continent’s climate ambitions.
Technical and Strategic Significance
The DolWin Epsilon platform, designed with a transmission capacity of 900 MW, represents the current standard for offshore HVDC connections in the North Sea. This scaling up from TenneT’s first 400 MW platform, BorWin Alpha (commissioned in 2010), highlights nearly two decades of technical evolution and operational experience in offshore power transmission.
The platform’s successful installation exemplifies the collaboration between leading industry partners, including Seatrium, Aibel, Hitachi Energy, Siemens Energy, and DRAGADOS OFFSHORE. Their joint efforts have enabled the delivery of state-of-the-art converter technology and robust offshore infrastructure capable of withstanding the challenging North Sea environment.
Laying the Groundwork for Europe’s HVDC Overlay Grid
Looking ahead, TenneT is preparing for the next technological leap with its 2GW Program, which aims to further enhance efficiency and system performance. The company is investing in multi-terminal HVDC hubs and a future cross-border HVDC overlay grid, paving the way for a truly integrated and interoperable offshore power system across Europe.
This forward-thinking approach is essential as Europe targets 70 GW of offshore wind capacity in the North and Baltic Seas by 2045. TenneT’s CEO emphasized the need to move beyond pure capacity targets toward realistic energy goals, with system efficiency, interoperability, and European coordination at the forefront.
Industry Impact
For the HVDC sector, the installation of DolWin Epsilon not only demonstrates the maturity of 900 MW offshore converter technology but also signals the industry’s readiness to scale up to even larger, more complex systems. The project highlights the importance of shared standards, smart spatial planning, and coordinated targets to ensure the efficient integration of massive new renewable capacities.
As the DolWin5 and BorWin5 systems move toward commissioning, they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Europe’s offshore grid and advancing the continent’s energy transition.
