The COP Collection
Making the connections for energy security in Germany and the Netherlands – and beyond
The next five years are expected to see a rapid expansion of renewable energy in the European Union, in order to meet 2030 targets. But it is not only the generation infrastructure that is required, but the transmission networks to get the power where it is needed. High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology is being used to create these ‘electricity superhighways’ – and new framework agreements are changing the way projects are delivered.
An artist’s impression of the 2GW HVDC Platform. Image credit: TenneT
“Industrial consumers of energy are now starting to transfer to renewables and when we can prove prosperity in an industrial country can be based on renewables - that is really exciting.”
Johannes Kammer, Associate Director of the 2GW Project, TenneT
Working towards 2030 and 2050 climate targets
The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 – an economy with net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Renewable Energy Directive sets a binding target of 42.5 percent of energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Some member states also have their own targets. The Netherlands has a goal of an emissions-free power sector by 2035. The German government has a target to source 80 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Clean Energy Wire¹, under Creative Commons by SA 4.0 licence
of Germany's electricity from renewable sources by 2030
80%
In 2023, the renewables share in Germany was 51.8 percent. Reaching this 2030 target will require a fast expansion of not only renewable generation capacity, but also of the infrastructure to transmit the energy where it is needed. To use the German term, it is truly an ‘Energiewende’ which translates as ‘Energy turnaround’ or ‘Energy revolution’. The development of grid systems worldwide is a priority for COP29. The COP29 Presidency has developed the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge², with endorsers of the Pledge committing to enhance grid capacity through a global grid deployment of adding or refurbishing over 80 million kilometers of grid by 2040 – the equivalent of the entire existing global grid.
Getting offshore wind energy to where it’s needed
Stefan Hartge is in charge of the Central Europe area for grid system integration at GE Vernova. He pinpoints the challenge that is faced in delivering this ‘energy turnaround.’ “You hardly ever have a renewable energy source where you have the demand.” Wind energy is often generated offshore or in remote locations and needs to be transmitted to centers of population. This is fuelling demand for HVDC systems which are the most efficient, reliable and cost-effective way of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances. TenneT is a transmission system operator (TSO) in Germany and the Netherlands. TSOs are responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of their section of the grid. TenneT has awarded a total of 14 projects as part of its ambitious 2GW HVDC electric offshore transmission system. GE Vernova and its partners have been awarded five of these projects, two in Germany and three in the Netherlands. As an example of the distance that the cables need to cover, one of the projects will be connecting a wind farm approximately 95 kilometers off the coast of the Netherlands.
High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connecting offshore wind to onshore converter stations
TenneT 2GW Program map
“You hardly ever have a renewable energy source where you have the demand.”
Stefan Hartge,
Central Europe Leader, Grid Systems Integration Business Line, GE Vernova
Changing the game with framework agreements
TenneT is taking a bold approach to changing the way the industry works. Stefan explains: “TenneT has thought through how we can industrialize this industry on another scale. We need a different growth rate to achieve the 2050 climate neutral goals. TenneT has organized very large framework agreements to implement HVDC links in a 2GW grid connection system. This has been created by joining up with industry in partnerships.” These framework agreements are among the first of their size in the world and they have changed ways of working. Each single project has a size of 2 gigawatts in terms of power – the equivalent to not one but two average-size nuclear plants. This new standard doubles transmission capacity, meaning fewer connections are required which in turn reduces the impact on the environment and saves costs and resources. TenneT has defined one specification that applies to all projects, ensuring that they are delivered in the same way. This standardization means that contractors, such as GE Vernova, know exactly what they have to deliver, from day one. Stefan explains how this is game-changing for the industry: “TenneT is the one who has put the stick in the ground. No one has done this many projects in parallel in the history of the industry, so the other TSOs are learning to respond to that. Are other operators going to go into framework agreements? Can they agree on aligned standards to make it more effective for the industry?”
“The framework agreements are also setting a partnership in place, which is a culture focused around solutions, and which will help us to work together over the long term.”
Johannes Kammer, Associate Director of the 2GW Program, TenneT
Johannes Kammer, Associate Director of the 2GW Program for TenneT, explains the benefits of the framework agreements to the industry. “The agreements gave all our supplying partners an outlook which enabled them to invest into new fabrication, production and installation facilities. This is not only needed for TenneT to fulfill its national obligations in the Netherlands and in Germany, but it actually helps the entire industry to expand its capacities. The framework agreements are also setting a partnership in place, which is a culture focused around solutions, and which will help us to work together over the long term.” Hear from Johannes Kammer as he answers three questions: what is one thing you wished people knew about the energy transition, why did TenneT create the new 2GW standard grid connection, and what are the implications of the roll-out of HVDC connections for energy security and achieving net zero goals in Europe?
Johannes Kammer, Associate Director of the 2GW Program, Tennet
Collaboration from the beginning
The huge transformation that is required in the energy system requires many people – and there is a shortage of engineers with necessary skills. Different ways of working which reduce what was a lengthy process are crucial if projects are going to be delivered in the timeframes required to meet government targets. Stefan explains “What we’re getting to now is sitting together before the first drawing is put onto paper. This is a way of working we need to see more. It reduces the lengthy tender process and conversations. We’re seeing recognition from our customers that they need to bring us into conversations earlier.”
Valves being manufactured at GE Vernova’s site in Stafford, UK
“I wanted to join the energy sector because it’s where innovation meets impact.”
Éoin Trigg, Power Electronics Engineer, GE Vernova
Creating skilled manufacturing jobs in the UK
The growing demand for HVDC technology has led to GE Vernova announcing an expansion of their existing manufacturing facilities in Stafford, UK. It is already home to one of the world’s most advanced HVDC valve test facilities and a control system testing facility. As part of this expansion, GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business expects to have created around 600 new jobs in the UK from 2023 to the end of 2025, including hundreds of engineers and skilled craftsmen to support the assembly and testing of the valves and transformers. Éoin Trigg joined GE Vernova at Stafford as an HVDC Graduate Engineer, with a Masters in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and he is now a Power Electronics Engineer. He’s gained experience working in a wide range of areas contributing to the TenneT 2GW Program, from efficiency improvements in workflow processes through to collaborating with offshore platform designers to enable faster and more effective installations of platforms. He explains why he was drawn to working in this field. “I wanted to join the energy sector because it’s where innovation meets impact. With renewable energy, we’re not just advancing technology—we’re securing a sustainable future for generations to come.”
GE Vernova’s state-of-the-art electrical grid manufacturing facility in Stafford
Looking ahead to the potential of connections across Europe
The successful roll-out of the HVDC technology has big implications for renewable energy across Europe. The current scope for the two German projects is bringing offshore wind from the North Sea and transmitting it to South Germany. Stefan takes a look ahead. “In the future, we would like to connect Direct Current (DC) lines to connect Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. These lines would be able to transfer bulk power across Europe to where it is needed. So if you have a windy day in Denmark, but not in Germany, you can transport the electricity. This is the vision. It’s creating a web, allowing better utilization of these DC lines and huge power transfers across Europe.” By connecting renewable electricity generated offshore to where it is needed, building this infrastructure is expected to help to deliver on the twin goals of energy security and decarbonization in Europe.
“You need a team for growth, and with a mindset of partnerships. The team also needs to have a mindset of boldness, curiosity and eagerness to achieve something which hasn’t been there before.”
Stefan Hartge, Central Europe Leader, Grid Systems Integration Business Line, GE Vernova
Building a team for this journey
We finish by asking Stefan for the advice that he would share with others working in the energy transition. “Build your team for this journey. You need a team for growth, and with a mindset of partnerships. The team also needs to have a mindset of boldness, curiosity and eagerness to achieve something which hasn’t been there before.” It’s a strong reminder that we need not only the technology, we need the teams who are prepared to work differently to deliver these first-of-a-kind projects - and the teams who will keep on rolling them out once the precedent is established.
In conclusion
HVDC technology supports the efficient connection of offshore wind from the North Sea to Europe – and has the potential to connect the grid systems across Europe to transmit electricity from renewable sources
These new electricity superhighways are expected to help to deliver on the twin goals of energy security and decarbonization
The framework agreements that TenneT have introduced for the 2GW grid connection system are game-changing in providing standardization of projects and enabling more efficient roll-out
A partnership mindset is needed to deliver these first-of-a-kind projects
¹ https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-energy-consumption-and-power-mix-charts ² https://cop29.az/en/pages/cop29-presidency-action-agenda-letter ³ This article contains forward-looking statements, which provide current expectations based on certain assumptions. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update these statements.
