• Partnership with Drydocks World to Develop Ostwind 4, Germany’s First 2 GW HVDC Grid for Offshore Wind Farms
• The Ostwind 4 project, set to be the first 2 GW High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) grid connection for offshore wind farms in the German Baltic Sea, will deliver renewable electricity, powering nearly two million households.
• GE Vernova to Supply Advanced HVDC Technology, Including SF₆-free Gas-Insulated Switchgear

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 16, 2024) – GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) has announced that, in collaboration with Drydocks World, it has been awarded the Ostwind 4 project by 50Hertz, a leading German Transmission System Operator (TSO). This initiative will involve the design, construction, and commissioning of a 2-gigawatt (GW) HVDC transmission system, which will be the first of its kind in the German Baltic Sea, connecting an offshore wind farm to the German mainland grid.

Located in the Arkona Basin, roughly 30 kilometers northeast of Rügen Island, the Ostwind 4 project will use the HVDC system to transport up to 2 GW of offshore wind energy to the mainland, supplying renewable electricity to the equivalent of nearly two million households. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2031, will include an advanced bipolar HVDC transmission system that operates at 525 kilovolts (kV), ensuring efficient energy transport with minimal losses over long distances.

Collaborating to Achieve Germany’s Renewable Energy Goals

The consortium formed by GE Vernova and Drydocks World will be responsible for the delivery of both the offshore converter platform and the onshore converter station, ensuring seamless electricity transmission from offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea to the German grid. As the consortium leader, GE Vernova will provide cutting-edge HVDC technology, including voltage-sourced converters (VSC), high-voltage transformers, g₃ gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), air-core reactors, along with civil works for the onshore converter station and grid automation telecommunications systems.

This project will also leverage GE Vernova’s newly established HVDC Competence Center in Berlin, which is focused on advancing technologies that improve grid stability and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.

Drydocks World will take on the responsibility of 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, integrated with nature-inclusive scour protection to enhance marine biodiversity while minimizing the environmental impact.

Germany’s Ambitious Energy Transition and Technological Innovations

Germany has set an ambitious path toward a greener future through its Energiewende framework, aiming to eliminate coal by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2045. In accordance with the German Climate Law, the country must derive 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with a goal of 100% by 2035. Vital to this transformation are projects like Ostwind 4, which are central to facilitating the transmission of renewable energy from offshore wind farms into the national grid, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Stefan Kapferer, CEO of 50Hertz, remarked, “The awarding of the contract to GE Vernova and Drydock World signifies the beginning of a new era for wind energy in the Baltic Sea. 50Hertz is the first transmission system operator to introduce 2 GW / 525 kV technology in this region. This is groundbreaking work. Our goal is to fully utilize the renewable offshore wind energy potential in the Baltic Sea, primarily through the use of direct current technology. This requires a more interconnected approach across national borders, and legal and regulatory frameworks must be established to allow wind farms in other EU countries to connect to Germany’s transmission grid.”

Philippe Piron, CEO of GE Vernova’s Electrification division, shared, “Ostwind 4 marks a pivotal step in our mission to electrify and decarbonize with the energy to change the world. By deploying our cutting-edge HVDC technology, this project plays a vital role in enhancing European energy security and accelerating the global energy transition. It also highlights the rapid growth of GE Vernova’s Electrification sector, our fastest-growing business, as customers increasingly invest in grid infrastructure. We are proud to partner with 50Hertz and Drydocks World to advance Germany’s renewable energy goals and establish a resilient and sustainable grid infrastructure.”

Johan Bindele, Leader of Grid Systems Integration at GE Vernova, added, “Ostwind 4 demonstrates GE Vernova’s advancements in HVDC technology that support the integration of renewable energy sources at a transformative scale. The use of our Voltage-Sourced Converters, g³ gas-insulated switchgear, and durable system designs ensures efficient power transmission and reliable operation over long distances. We are honored to lead this initiative in collaboration with Drydocks World and support 50Hertz in driving energy innovation.”

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO of DP World, commented, “We are proud of Drydocks World’s crucial role in the Ostwind 4 Project, which showcases its technical expertise and commitment to renewable energy. This project reflects DP World’s ongoing dedication to fostering a clean energy future through innovative projects that promote sustainability and economic growth. As the global energy landscape evolves, we remain committed to leveraging our expertise to support the clean energy transition and economic development.”

The Role of HVDC Technology in Accelerating the Energy Transition

HVDC technology plays a pivotal role in the efficient and reliable transmission of renewable energy across vast distances. Unlike AC systems, HVDC can transmit three times the power while reducing losses by up to 50%. Furthermore, HVDC systems equipped with Voltage-Sourced Converter (VSC) technology improve the controllability and stability of power flows, making them ideal for integrating fluctuating renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid.

GE Vernova’s g³ gas-insulated switchgear is another innovation driving the energy transition. It offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to SF₆, a potent greenhouse gas traditionally used in high-voltage equipment. As part of GE’s GRiDEA portfolio, g³ contributes to the decarbonization goals of the energy sector. Introduced in 2014, g³ provides a remarkable 99% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to SF₆, aligning with the global push for net-zero emissions. Together, HVDC systems and SF₆-free technologies represent the critical advancements necessary for modernizing the grid and creating a more sustainable energy future.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes forward-looking statements, which refer to anticipated events or outcomes that, by their nature, involve varying degrees of uncertainty. These statements relate to the future business and financial performance of GE Vernova, the anticipated performance of its products, the impact of its services, and the outcomes they may produce. Such statements often include terms like “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “target,” “preliminary,” or “range.” By their very nature, forward-looking statements address matters of uncertainty, including statements regarding potential transactions, investments, or projects and their expected outcomes. They also encompass the effects of macroeconomic conditions, market fluctuations, and volatility on business operations, financial results, and position, as well as their influence on the global supply chain and the world economy.

About GE Vernova

GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) is a global energy company designed to meet the needs of a changing world. It includes the Power, Wind, and Electrification segments, supported by its accelerator businesses. Drawing on over 130 years of experience in tackling global challenges, GE Vernova is well-positioned to guide the energy transition. It is committed to electrifying the world while also working to decarbonize it. GE Vernova enables customers to power economies and supply electricity essential to health, safety, security, and enhanced quality of life. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., GE Vernova employs approximately 75,000 individuals across more than 100 countries globally. Anchored by the Company’s mission, “The Energy to Change the World,” GE Vernova’s technology delivers a more affordable, reliable, sustainable, and secure energy future.

Grid Solutions at GE Vernova

GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions division is at the forefront of electrifying the world with cutting-edge grid technologies and systems. It enables the transmission and distribution of power from the generation point to the point of consumption, supporting the transition to a decarbonized and secure energy future.

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