Germany's Ostwind 4 Launches 2GW Offshore Grid Connection Project Marine Warranty Services
en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 24, German transmission system operator 50Hertz selected energy and marine consultancy ABL to provide marine warranty survey services for the Ostwind 4 offshore grid connection project. Located in the German Baltic Sea, Ostwind 4 is the fourth project in 50Hertz's Ostwind offshore grid development program, with a planned transmission capacity of 2GW. It will deliver offshore wind power from the sea area northeast of Germany's Rügen island into the mainland grid.
ABL's scope of services covers the transportation and installation of submarine cables and offshore infrastructure, as well as the installation of the offshore converter platform and related equipment. Specific work includes reviewing transportation and installation technical documents and construction procedures, assessing the suitability of the construction fleet and offshore operation plans, and dispatching personnel to witness and approve key operations within the marine warranty scope. The related services will be executed by ABL's German team based in Hamburg.
Ostwind 4 will involve the construction of an offshore converter platform, an onshore converter station, and an associated DC cable system. According to 50Hertz data, the project's submarine cable length is approximately 110 kilometers, extending from the O-2.2 offshore wind area to a landing point near Vierow, then connecting via approximately 4 kilometers of underground onshore cable to the Stilow converter station and substation. The project will for the first time adopt 525kV high-voltage direct current transmission technology in Germany's Baltic Sea offshore wind grid connection projects.
The project will primarily serve the OstSee Energies offshore wind farm planned by TotalEnergies. The wind farm has a planned capacity of approximately 1GW and is located between the two existing offshore wind farms Arcadis Ost 1 and Baltic Eagle. Ostwind 4 is designed with a transmission capacity of 2GW, reserving greater transmission capacity for subsequent connection of surrounding offshore wind power. 50Hertz expects the project to be completed by May 31, 2031.
The core engineering contracts for Ostwind 4 have previously been awarded successively. In 2024, 50Hertz awarded the construction and installation contracts for the offshore and onshore converter stations to Drydocks World and GE Vernova, while NKT is responsible for the onshore connection and offshore cable system. With ABL entering the marine warranty services phase, risk control work for the project's transportation and installation, submarine cable laying, and offshore construction of the converter platform is further underway.
