GE Vernova secures 2 GW contract for offshore wind connection in the Baltic Sea

The Ostwind 4 project, led by GE Vernova and 50Hertz, introduces 2 GW HVDC technology to connect offshore wind from the Baltic Sea to the German power grid.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

GE Vernova, in partnership with 50Hertz, has secured the Ostwind 4 contract to establish a 2-gigawatt (GW) energy connection in the Baltic Sea. This project, focused on advancing Germany’s renewable infrastructure, aligns with European climate objectives. It leverages advanced high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology to meet the growing demand for green energy.

The connection, located in the Arkona Basin 30 kilometers from Rügen Island, will transport wind-generated electricity to the mainland with minimal losses. Scheduled for completion in 2031, this system is designed to supply energy to nearly two million households.

A transformative project for Germany

Germany, a leader in energy transition, is intensifying efforts to reach 80% renewable energy by 2030. Ostwind 4 represents a strategic advancement, facilitating the integration of offshore wind farms into the national grid. This additional capacity addresses the increasing demand for sustainable energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

For 50Hertz, this project is a first in the use of 2 GW and 525-kilovolt HVDC systems in the Baltic Sea. The company sees it as a crucial step toward fully exploiting the offshore wind potential in this strategic region. According to Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz, regulatory adaptations are necessary to effectively connect cross-border wind resources to Germany’s grid.

The benefits of HVDC technology

HVDC transmission is essential for optimizing renewable energy integration. Unlike traditional alternating current systems, HVDC technology enables the transportation of large energy volumes over long distances with greater efficiency. This project also incorporates innovative solutions, such as environmentally friendly gas-insulated equipment, reducing the carbon footprint of the energy infrastructure.

Political and economic dimensions

This project reflects European energy ambitions, strengthening infrastructure to meet climate targets while stimulating the local economy through strategic investments. The collaboration between GE Vernova and 50Hertz underscores the need for industrial actors and grid operators to work together to accelerate the energy transition.

Encavis AG continues its growth in Germany with the acquisition of a 34-megawatt wind project in Sundern-Allendorf, sold by PNE AG and secured by a twenty-year feed-in tariff.
The last monopiles manufactured by Navantia Seanergies and Windar Renovables have been delivered to Iberdrola for the Windanker offshore project, marking a major milestone for the European XXL offshore wind component manufacturing industry.
Envision Energy's two-blade prototype has now reached over 500 days of continuous operation, achieving a 99.3% availability rate and confirming its potential compared to industrial standards.
RWE signs long-term agreements with North Star for four new service vessels, strengthening maintenance of its offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom and Germany amid a tight market for specialised maritime capacities.
AMEA Power partners with Cox for the second phase of the Agadir desalination plant, set to reach 400,000 m³/day with power supplied by a 150 MW wind farm in Laayoune.
Buhawind Energy Northern Luzon Corporation secures grid connection study approval, bringing the launch of one of Southeast Asia’s largest offshore wind projects closer.
France receives approval from the European Commission for a major public financing of EUR 11bn aimed at three floating wind projects totalling 1.5 GW, with a framework strengthening the national industry.
The new Vilpion onshore wind farm, led by TotalEnergies and RWE in Aisne, has a capacity of 15 megawatts and marks a milestone for the renewable energy industry in France.
Koehler Renewable Energy and CMB Energy formalise a joint venture to develop, operate and acquire wind farms targeting one gigawatt of installed capacity by 2030, with potential expansion into solar and storage.
Gentari and Amazon Web Services have entered into an 80 MW power purchase agreement in India, marking a major step for large-scale wind energy development in the region.
Washington removes regulatory requirement mandating biennial publication of five-year schedule for offshore renewable energy auctions, offering increased flexibility to Interior Secretary.
Europe aims for 84 GW of offshore wind by 2030 versus 36.6 GW currently. Port and naval investments require an additional 6.4 billion euros.
ERG launches a new 47.3 MW wind farm in Corlacky, featuring eleven turbines, bringing its installed capacity in the United Kingdom to 340 MW and confirming its investment strategy.
A2A and ERG have concluded a fifteen-year power purchase agreement for 2.7 terawatt-hours, consolidating wind energy supply and price stability for Italian businesses and households.
CPS Energy launches a tender to acquire up to 400 megawatts of wind energy, marking its most significant sector solicitation in over a decade and aiming to strengthen its energy portfolio.
JERA and bp have created JERA Nex bp, a 50:50 joint venture focused on developing, owning and operating a global offshore wind portfolio of 13GW, strengthening their position across European and Asian markets.
ERG S.p.A. reports consolidated EBITDA of €274 mn in the first half of 2025, impacted by unfavourable wind conditions, but sees quarterly results improve thanks to the commissioning of new wind and storage assets.
The first of three floating wind turbines from the Éoliennes flottantes du golfe du Lion project has been installed offshore, marking a major milestone for the industrial sector off the coast of Leucate and Barcarès.
The US wind market recorded 91% growth in the first quarter of 2025, but new regulatory restrictions and the planned end of tax credits threaten the sector’s future.
The Trump administration cancels federal offshore wind zones, threatening 77,000 jobs and $12bn in annual investments in a sector currently employing 120,000 people.
Consent Preferences