Aker Solutions, a Norwegian company specializing in engineering and construction, has been selected by Dragados Offshore to deliver the steel structure for the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) offshore converter station of the BalWin 1 project. This project, intended for Germany, is being developed by Amprion Offshore GmbH as part of an infrastructure plan to strengthen renewable energy transmission.
A strategic contract for Aker Solutions
The contract includes the construction of the steel substructure for the 2 GW offshore HVDC converter station, along with an option for a similar structure for the BalWin 2 project. Together, these two projects represent a total transmission capacity of 4 GW, equivalent to the power supply of a large metropolis such as Berlin.
With this agreement, Aker Solutions strengthens its position in the offshore energy infrastructure sector. The company will utilize its Verdal, Norway, shipyard for the fabrication of the substructures. According to the agreement, procurement preparation and method engineering will commence immediately, while construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with deliveries expected in 2028 and 2029.
Industrial implications and employment impact
The fabrication of the HVDC substructures will require the mobilization of more than 500 employees at the peak of the work. This phase involves several key activities, including method engineering, procurement management, and the assembly of steel structures.
For Aker Solutions, this order will be recorded as order intake in the Renewables and Field Development segment in the first quarter of 2025, excluding the value of potential options. The company leverages its expertise in managing large-scale projects to ensure controlled execution within the required deadlines.
Progress for the German offshore grid
Amprion Offshore GmbH, the transmission system operator responsible for these infrastructures, aims to accelerate the development of Germany’s offshore electrical grid. The HVDC stations for the BalWin 1 and 2 projects will enable efficient connection of offshore renewable energy production to the onshore grid, reducing transmission losses over long distances.
Through this project, Dragados Offshore and Aker Solutions reaffirm their commitment to delivering high-tech infrastructure while meeting the growing demands of the European market for high-voltage electricity transmission.
