Aker Solutions to supply steel substructure for Germany’s BalWin1 offshore wind grid connection.

Aker Solutions has secured a contract from Dragados Offshore to supply the steel substructure for the 2GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station for the BalWin1 offshore wind grid connection in Germany.

The project is being developed by German transmission system operator Amprion Offshore. The contract includes an option for the steel substructure of the BalWin2 connection.

The contract is valued in the range of NOK1.5bn ($133m) and NOK2.5bn ($222m).

The BalWin1 and BalWin2 projects comprise a 2GW HVDC offshore and onshore substation each, which are designed to transmit renewable electricity.

Together, the systems will have a total transmission capacity of 4GW, enough to supply offshore wind energy to approximately four million people.

The BalWin1 grid interconnection point will be located in Wehrendorf, in the southern Osnabrück region, while BalWin2 will connect at Westerkappeln in northern North Rhine-Westphalia.

Fabrication of the HVDC substructures will take place at Aker Solutions’ yard in Verdal, Norway, with the project expected to employ more than 500 people at its peak.

The company’s scope includes procurement, method engineering, and construction of the offshore HVDC converter platform substructures.

Procurement and method engineering will begin immediately, while construction is set to start in early 2026. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028 and 2029.

Aker Solutions will book the award, excluding the optional scope, as order intake in Q1 2025 under its renewables and field development segment.

Aker Solutions new build segment executive vice president Sturla Magnus said: “We are proud that Dragados Offshore has selected Aker Solutions as the contractor for the BalWin 1 steel substructure.

“We have over decades developed substantial expertise and track record for delivering predictable execution of demanding projects. The new contract is aligned with our strategy to grow our activities within renewables and low-carbon projects.”

Around this time last year, cable solutions provider Prysmian Group finalised offshore cabling contracts with Amprion for the BalWin1 and BalWin2 offshore grid connection systems.