North Sea Wind Power Islands Planned

European electricity transmission system operator TenneT and Energinet.dk will sign an agreement in Brussels on March 23 for the development of a large renewable European electricity system in the North Sea.

Central to the plan is the construction of one or more islands, so called Power Link Islands with interconnections to surrounding countries. The islands will be located in the middle of the North Sea, and TenneT expects many wind farms to be connected (possibly becoming the focal point for 70,000 MW to 100,000 MW of power).

The generated wind energy could then be distributed from the islands over direct current lines to the North Sea countries of the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and Belgium.

Transmission cables would simultaneously function as interconnectors between the energy markets of the countries, so that besides transmitting wind electricity to the connected countries, the countries could also trade electricity.

Staff, components and assembly workshops could be stationed on the island, to simplify offshore logistics.

The Dogger Bank area is the location for the first Power Link Island  as it has optimal wind conditions, is centrally located and is in relatively shallow water.

Discussions with other potential partners are ongoing. TenneT unveiled its vision of the North Sea Wind Power Hub in June 2016 as support for the 2050 climate goals formulated in the Paris Agreement.