ABB has installed the DolWin beta, the most powerful in the world offshore converter platform, in the North Sea.

The transmission capacity of the 320-kilovolt converter station is 916 megawatts (MW) or enough to power more than 1 million households with clean wind energy. 

Ulrich Spiesshofer, ABB CEO, commented:

“After the successful handover of the DolWin1 link in July, this is another key milestone in the execution of our offshore wind projects. It is a further example of our focus on relentless execution and of the ongoing progress in the Power Systems division’s Step Change program.”

DolWin beta is part of the TenneT-operated DolWin2 project. The offshore converter station will be the connection between offshore wind farms in the North Sea’s DolWin cluster and the German grid.

The weight of the platform, together with the substructure, is nearly 23,000 tons. It is 100 m tall, 100 m long and 70 m wide. Having been built in Dubai last year the DolWin beta was transported to Aibel’s shipyard in Norway for outfitting.

Claudio Facchin, President, ABB Power Systems division, explained:

“Putting such a huge platform in place is one of the most delicate operations in the delivery of an offshore power link, requiring intensive pre-planning and cooperation between the stakeholders involved and we are pleased that this important project landmark has gone smoothly.”

DolWin beta's main function will be to convert the alternating current (AC) generated by the offshore wind farms into into high-voltage direct current (HVDC) which will be transmitted to the mainland.

Source & Video: ABB

Related Video: DolWin Beta Platform Leaves Norway for German North Sea