GE Vernova Inc. has announced that, in consortium with Drydocks World, it has been awarded the Ostwind 4 project by 50Hertz, a leading German transmission system operator (TSO).
The project involves the design, construction, and commissioning of a 2-GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric transmission system—the first of its kind in the German Baltic Sea—connecting an offshore wind farm to the German grid.
Located in the Arkona Basin, approximately 30 km northeast of Rügen Island, the Ostwind 4 project will transport up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy via the HVDC system to the mainland, delivering renewable electricity equivalent to the amount needed to power nearly two million households.
Provisionally scheduled for completion by the end of 2031, the project is expected to feature an advanced bipolar HVDC transmission system operating at 525kV, ensuring efficient energy transport with minimal losses over long distances.
Driving Germany’s Renewable Energy Ambitions
The GE Vernova–Drydocks World consortium is responsible for delivering both the offshore converter platform and the onshore converter station, enabling seamless transmission of electricity from offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea to the German transmission grid. As the consortium leader, GE Vernova will supply advanced HVDC technology, including voltage-sourced converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, g3 gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), air-core reactors, as well as civil works for the onshore converter station and grid automation telecommunications equipment.
The project will also benefit from GE Vernova’s new HVDC Competence Center in Berlin, which is focused on developing leading-edge technology to improve grid stability and integrate more renewable energy.
Drydocks World will be responsible for designing, fabricating, and installing the offshore converter platform, including the jacket substructure and topside. This advanced infrastructure, built at Drydocks World’s Dubai facility, features a U-shaped jacket substructure with integrated nature-inclusive scour protection to enhance marine biodiversity while minimizing environmental impact.
Germany’s Energy Transition Goals
Germany is at the forefront of the global energy transition with its ambitious Energiewende framework, which aims to phase out coal entirely by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045. As per the German Climate Law, 80% of electricity supply must come from renewable sources by 2030, with a target of 100% by 2035. Projects like Ostwind 4 are crucial in meeting these goals, enabling the efficient transmission of renewable energy from offshore wind farms to the national grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Why HVDC?
HVDC technology is critical in supporting the efficient and reliable transmission of renewable energy across long distances. Unlike the AC systems, HVDC can transmit three times the power with up to 50% fewer losses. HVDC systems equipped with Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) technology further enhance the controllability and stability of power flows, making them ideal for integrating variable energy sources such as wind and solar into the grid.
Alternative to SF6
GE Vernova’s g3 gas-insulated switchgear further supports the energy transition by providing a more environmentally sustainable alternative to SF₆ gas, a potent greenhouse gas traditionally used in high-voltage equipment. The g3 technology is part of company’s GRiDEA portfolio, a suite of decarbonization solutions that empower grid operators to address their net-zero objectives. Launched in 2014, g3 shows an approximately 99% reduction of greenhouse gas contribution to global warming, compared to SF6, aligning with the decarbonization goals of the global energy sector. Together, HVDC and SF6-free solutions represent key innovations necessary to decarbonize and modernize the grid infrastructure for a more sustainable energy future.
Featured photograph shows: [Standing (L to R)] Stefan Hartge (GE Vernova), Marco Nix (50Hertz), Capt. Rado Antolovic (Drydocks World). [Sitting L to R)] Johann Bindele (GE Vernova), Stefan Kapferer (50Hertz), HE Sultan Admed Bin Sulayem (Dubai Port World). 50Hertz / Kathrin Heller, after the symbolic contract signing.
