BalWin1 and BalWin2: Start of production for Amprion’s first 2-gigawatt converter platforms

Das Bild zeigt eine Nahaufnahme eines Laserschneiders oder Plasmaschneiders, der in eine goldfarbene Metallplatte schneidet. Ein heller, funkelnder Lichtbogen und zahlreiche leuchtende Funken sprühen von der Schnittstelle. Das intensive Licht dominiert die rechte Seite des Bildes. Die Metallplatte ist horizontal ausgerichtet und weist bereits teilweise ausgeschnittene Formen auf, darunter der Text "BalWin". Der Hintergrund ist unscharf und dunkel, wodurch der Fokus vollständig auf den Schneidevorgang und die Funken gelegt wird. Die Szene vermittelt den Eindruck eines industriellen Fertigungsprozesses mit hoher Präzision und Energie. English: The image is a close-up shot of a laser or plasma cutter in action, cutting into a gold-colored metal sheet. A bright, sparkling arc and numerous glowing sparks emanate from the cutting interface. The intense light dominates the right side of the image. The metal plate is oriented horizontally and already shows partially cut-out shapes, including the text "BalWin 3". The background is blurred and dark, putting the entire focus on the cutting process and the sparks. The scene conveys the impression of an industrial manufacturing process characterized by high precision and energy.

Amprion, together with Dragados Offshore, Siemens Energy, and Meyer Werft, celebrated the start of production for the converter platforms for the BalWin1 and BalWin2 projects. This week, the machines were set in motion at the Dragados yard in Spain as well as the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg. The two platforms are among the first German offshore grid connections in the 2-gigawatt power class. They will be operational in 2030 and 2031.

Amprion commissioned the consortium of Dragados Offshore and Siemens Energy to build the platforms in 2023. A significant portion of the steel construction work (approximately 32,000 tons) for the topside, the upper part of the platform, was subsequently passed on to the Papenburg-based Meyer Werft. During the traditional steel-cutting ceremony, the first steel parts, which will later be welded into sections, are cut.

European cooperation as the key to success

Dr. Carsten Lehmköster, Managing Director of Amprion Offshore GmbH: "With BalWin1 and BalWin2, we are making an enormous technological leap. The two projects are among the first in the 2-gigawatt power class. Compared to previous offshore grid connections, this is more than double the transmission capacity. This naturally also affects the dimensions of the platform." The converter platforms BalWin alpha and BalWin beta will each weigh approximately 56,500 tons including the substructure.

"We continue to see that the European market for the construction of platforms of this size is extremely limited. That is why we are particularly pleased that two major European yards are cooperating in our project to handle them in the required time and quality," said Peter Barth, who serves with Lehmköster as Managing Director of Amprion Offshore GmbH. "We will need to continue building production capacities in Germany and Europe. The collaboration between Dragados Offshore and Siemens Energy with Meyer Werft is an important step in that direction. We think european and thus ensure value creation in Germany and Europe."

"Today’s steel-cutting ceremony marks not only a technical milestone but also a strong signal of European cooperation. For us at Meyer Werft, it is a special honor to be part of this forward-looking project. The BalWin1 and BalWin2 platforms set new standards in size and complexity – and we are bringing all our experience and commitment to the table to successfully deliver them together with our partners. This project demonstrates what is possible when European industrial partners work together in trust. We are ready and proud to contribute to the energy transition", said Jörg Heidelberg, COO Meyer Werft Group.

In addition to representatives of the participating companies, the Ministry of Environment from Lower Saxony and the Ministry of Economy from North Rhine-Westphalia were present at the start-of-production celebration. BalWin1 will be connected to the power grid in southern Lower Saxony. BalWin2 will, for the first time, connect offshore wind farms directly to North Rhine-Westphalia. "In our projects, we work very closely with the authorities in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. Today's participation shows, on the one hand, the economic importance of offshore wind energy for the two states, but on the other hand, also the good cooperation, which is very valuable to us," said Dr. Carsten Lehmköster.

The offshore grid connection systems BalWin1 and BalWin2

The offshore grid connection systems BalWin1 and BalWin2 connect wind farms in the North Sea with the transmission grid on land. They are installed mostly in parallel on both land and sea. Each project can transmit a capacity of 2,000 megawatts, corresponding to the demand of about 4 million people. They are set to be operational in 2030 and 2031. From the North Sea wind farms, the cables initially run 155 km and 165 km offshore. They pass under the island of Norderney and reach the coast at Hilgenriedersiel. On the land side of BalWin1 and BalWin2, approximately 205 km and 215 km of underground cables will be laid. To reach their respective grid connection points at Wehrendorf (BalWin1) and Westerkappeln (BalWin2), the projects will separate on the last part of the route.

Stefan Sennekamp
For questions please contact:
Stefan Sennekamp
Project Spokesperson Offshore
+49 152 22705497