Ørsted, a sustainable energy company, has signed contracts with Hitachi Energy and Aibel to provide high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems and converter platforms for its Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. Both contracts are subject to Ørsted reaching Final Investment Decision (FID) on Hornsea 3, which is expected within the next 18 months and potentially as soon as the end of 2022.

Hornsea 3 will be located 160km from the Yorkshire coast; and when it comes online, Ørsted’s Hornsea zone — comprising Hornsea 1, 2 and 3 — will have a total capacity of in excess of 5GW. This will be the world’s largest offshore wind zone, producing enough low-cost, clean, renewable electricity to power more than 5 million UK homes.

For the project, Hitachi Energy will be providing its HVDC Light system, which is designed to transmit power more efficiently under water over long distances, having the advantage of ‘uniquely compact converter stations and exceptionally low electrical losses’. Aibel will work alongside Hitachi Energy to provide the offshore converter platforms located in the North Sea. These platforms will be unmanned, operated from shore and accessed for maintenance by service operations vessels or helicopter.

Patrick Harnett, Ørsted’s Programme UK vice president, said: “Hornsea 3 is a game-changing renewable energy project in terms of both size and cost. This is the first time we have used an HVDC transmission system in the Hornsea zone and we are very excited to continue working with our partners in the supply chain to develop this solution further.

“Throughout development of Hornsea 3, we have listened carefully to local feedback around the transmission technology. HVDC technology does not require a booster station onshore or offshore and we anticipate needing a narrower working and land rights strip. We will continue to engage with the local community as we progress towards a Final Investment Decision and the start of construction.”