RTE Terminates Tenders for 320 kV and 525 kV Offshore Wind Converter Stations

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 9, French transmission system operator RTE published a contract award notice on the EU public procurement platform for multiple offshore and onshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station projects, covering two lots at 320 kV and 525 kV, corresponding respectively to 1.2 GW and 2 GW-class offshore wind power transmission systems. The notice number is 775206-2026. Due to changes in procurement requirements, RTE decided to terminate the competitive procurement procedures for both lots, with no contractor selected for either. The procurement covered offshore wind grid connection projects along the French Atlantic coast, Normandy, and the Mediterranean.

The 320 kV lot originally planned to procure two sets of multi-terminal VSC-HVDC transmission systems using a symmetrical monopole configuration. Each set comprises two onshore converter stations, each with a capacity of 1.2 GW, located respectively in Gironde and Loire-Atlantique, connected to the French transmission network via adjacent 400 kV AC substations; each set also includes one 1.2 GW offshore converter station and offshore platform, connecting to the offshore wind farm collection system. The original procurement plan also included an optional scope of two additional offshore converter stations and one complete DC converter system.

The 525 kV lot involves three sets of VSC-HVDC transmission systems using a bipolar configuration, each with a capacity of 2 GW. Two sets are planned to connect offshore wind farms in the Normandy region, and the other is intended for a Mediterranean offshore wind project. Each set comprises one onshore converter station, one offshore converter station and associated platform, with the onshore end connected to the 400 kV AC transmission network. The original procurement plan also reserved an optional procurement scope for one additional 2 GW DC converter system.

The scope of work for both lots covers detailed design, engineering and technical services, equipment procurement, manufacturing, supply and transportation, onshore civil works, offshore support structure construction, equipment installation, system testing, onshore and offshore commissioning, spare parts supply, operational handover, warranty, and maintenance. RTE originally planned to establish multi-project agreements with selected contractors to secure manufacturing, construction, and installation capacity as well as delivery arrangements, and then sign separate engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning contracts through subsequent project call-off procedures.

According to the procurement results, the 525 kV lot received two applications to participate and two formal tenders, with all bidders registered in European Economic Area countries outside France. The 320 kV lot received two applications to participate but no formal tenders. RTE terminated the competitive procedures for both lots on the grounds of changed procurement requirements, with no winning enterprises selected.