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TenneT begins Borssele grid investigations

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 12/10/2015 TenneT edited by 4C Offshore
Soil conditions and potential hazards or obstacles for the Borssele offshore wind farm grid are being assessed. TenneT has started the investigation in preparation for the connection of the planned wind farms off the coast of Walcheren.

The condition of the soil and the identification of possible obstacles, such as existing munitions or wrecks, is important to building and connecting an offshore grid successfully. TenneT also uses the information to mitigate the environmental impact construction has on the environment. These include the flora and fauna on land and at sea.

Marco Kuijpers, senior manager Offshore NL says TenneT:
"By advance on thorough research to do, we know what we will encounter in the construction of the network and also what measures we can take to the grid after installation to function properly. This requires a high-quality survey. "

The soil surveys at sea and on land are being carried out by a consortium consisting of engineering consultancy Grontmij, Deep Hydrography & Geophysics and Marine Sampling Holland (MSH). The consortium combines desk research with research on site. The marine survey is conducted with four boats equipped with advanced geophysical instruments such as radar and sonar, and soil sampling equipment.

Wout Nijhoving, project manager of Grontmij Deep-MSH consortium, is enthusiastic about the contract: "It's nice that we can put our collective expertise in the realisation of future energy infrastructure in the Netherlands."

TenneT, the manager of the national grid, is preparing the development of an offshore grid. The laying of the cables are part of this process. TenneT by law FLOW responsible for connecting new wind areas on the national grid. It is expected that the draft land-use plan and draft permits are going to be published in early 2016 with construction of the cables commencing in 2018.  

Borssele wind farm zone consists of four separate wind farms; Borssele site 1, Borssele site 2,Borssele site 3 and Borssele site 4 .With the construction of all four site Borssele wind farm zone is expected to reach a total  capacity of 1400 MW. This could supply 1.5 million households, which is enough for all households in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

The offshore wind areas of North and South Holland Coast are to be awarded in the coming years. According to the Energy Agreement, wind farms in the Dutch North Sea are set to reach a capacity of 4450 MW by 2023. Should this be achieved, one third of the electricity used by household in the Netherlands will come from offshore wind energy.

For more information about any of the Borssele sites please follow the links provided. Alternatively you view the project on our interactive map.

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