L&T Takes Charge of TenneT’s Offshore Wind Project
Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has officially stepped in to replace Petrofac in a significant high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) offshore wind initiative led by TenneT, Germany’s transmission system operator. This collaboration with Hitachi Energy aims to enhance the incorporation of large-scale renewable energy into the European power grid, focusing on the German and Dutch sectors of the North Sea. The project will involve the development of crucial HVDC converter stations essential for the grid’s operation.
New Developments in a Vital Renewable Energy Project
L&T, in partnership with Hitachi Energy, is set to manage a portfolio that includes the Dutch offshore grid connections IJmuiden Ver Alpha, Nederwiek 1, Nederwiek 3, Doordewind 1, and Doordewind 2, along with the German offshore grid connection LanWin5. This strategic move comes as TenneT seeks to accelerate its ambitious plans to expand renewable energy capabilities across Europe.
Initially, TenneT had entered into a framework cooperation agreement with Hitachi Energy and Petrofac back in March 2023. This agreement encompassed six 2GW projects, part of a larger plan involving fourteen 2GW grid connection systems. However, due to ongoing financial struggles, Petrofac was unable to meet its contractual obligations, leading to the termination of its involvement last week. Following this decision, Petrofac Limited announced that it had entered administration just days later, citing the contract cancellation as a critical factor in its financial woes.
In a statement regarding the new partnership, S N Subrahmanyan, chair and managing director of L&T, emphasized the significance of this collaboration. He stated, “Partnering with TenneT and Hitachi Energy for this pioneering programme underscores the confidence our customers place in L&T’s growing capability to execute complex, technology-intensive infrastructure projects.” This transition marks a crucial step in advancing renewable energy integration in European energy systems.
