Vinci and Siemens Energy have announced that they have won a contract worth €2.9 billion to design, build and install two power conversion platforms for the LanWin 3 wind farm in the North Sea, 120 km off the German coast. This project, awarded by German power grid operator 50Hertz, marks a significant step in the development of renewable energies in Europe.
The contract calls for the construction of an offshore platform capable of converting the alternating current produced by wind turbines into direct current, an essential technology for minimizing losses when transmitting electricity over long distances. Reverse conversion into alternating current will be carried out at an onshore station in Schwerin, north-east Germany, before the energy is fed into the national grid for distribution.
Enhanced conversion capabilities
Dragados Offshore, a subsidiary of Cobra IS, part of the Vinci Group, will build the offshore platform at its shipyard in Andalusia, southern Spain. The collaboration with Siemens Energy, which will contribute its expertise in conversion equipment, aims to guarantee the reliability and efficiency of the infrastructures installed.
Vinci said the contract would enable Cobra IS to manage a total of nine offshore power conversion platforms, representing a cumulative capacity of around 16 GW. This additional capacity strengthens Vinci and Siemens Energy’s role in the renewable energy sector, underlining their commitment to a sustainable energy transition.
Implications for the European energy market
This project is crucial to achieving Europe’s CO2 emission reduction targets and to meeting the growing demand for renewable energy. By facilitating the efficient transport of electricity from offshore wind farms to consumption centers, this type of project contributes to the stability and reliability of European power grids.
Thanks to its new infrastructure, the LanWin 3 wind farm will be able to supply clean electricity to millions of homes, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and helping to combat climate change.
At the same time, the project also generates positive economic spin-offs, particularly in terms of jobs and industrial development in the regions concerned by the construction and installation of the platforms.
Towards a Sustainable Energy Future
Vinci and Siemens Energy’s involvement in this project illustrates the growing importance of strategic partnerships in the renewable energy sector. These collaborations bring together the skills and resources needed to carry out international-scale projects addressing today’s energy challenges.
All in all, the contract won by Vinci and Siemens Energy for the LanWin 3 wind farm represents a significant step towards cleaner, more sustainable energy production. This initiative contributes not only to Europe’s energy transition, but also to reducing the environmental impact of electricity generation.
