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Released February 18, 2014 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- Grid connection has taken place for one of Germany's newest offshore wind projects which has been delayed for almost a year after the discovery of dumped World War II (WWII) munitions on the seabed.
After a delay of almost 11 months in total, Dutch grid operator TenneT TSO BV (Arnhem, Netherlands) announced that the 108-megawatt (MW) Riffgat windfarm has been finally connected to the grid. However, a row has now erupted between TenneT and windfarm owner, EWE, over who is responsible for the 100 million ($137 million) extra it cost to clear the route of unexploded bombs and munitions as well cover compensation charges. TenneT claimed that it paid 57 million for munitions clearance and an extra 43 million in charges and compensation due to the delay.
Last August TenneT was forced to delay grid connection of Riffgat, located near the island of Borkum in the German North Sea, in order to clear WWII ammunition from the seabed. At the time the windfarm was awaiting the last 50-kilometre (km) cable section to connect it to the mainland grid but TenneT admitted that clearing the munitions would take longer than expected. For additional information, see August 16, 2013, article - WWII Ammo Hits German Offshore Windfarm.
TenneT claimed that the initial investigations carried out by windfarm operators with regard to 'metallic objects' surveyed on the seabed were highly inaccurate. The grid operator said it found over 1,400 metallic objects - compared to the four originally reported - and had to dispose of almost 30 tons of ammunition before the planned cable route could be used.
Lex Hartman, CEO of TenneT, commented: "It is deeply regrettable that the planning of [the export cable] by the windfarm operator ultimately led to high additional costs that consumers will now have to bear."
EWE's board strongly refuted the stance taken by TenneT: "The allegations made by TenneT that the operator is responsible for the additional costs and delays in the network connection, (are) demonstrably false and somewhat embarrassing attempt to divert attention from their own inadequacies."
Riffgat was due to be commissioned in March last year. It uses 30 SWT-3.6-120 turbines manufactured by Siemens, each rated at 3.6 MW, and can generate enough electricity for around 120,000 households. It forms a key part of Germany's budding offshore wind sector which has been hampered in recent years by a series of chronic grid connection delays.
In late 2012, the German government set out to reduce the delays in getting offshore windfarms built by introducing a bill that will see consumers and grid operators being charged more if there are any more serious delays to getting windfarms constructed and connected to the grid. For additional information, see September 3, 2012, article - German Bill to Drive Offshore Projects.
View Project Report - 300009831
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
After a delay of almost 11 months in total, Dutch grid operator TenneT TSO BV (Arnhem, Netherlands) announced that the 108-megawatt (MW) Riffgat windfarm has been finally connected to the grid. However, a row has now erupted between TenneT and windfarm owner, EWE, over who is responsible for the 100 million ($137 million) extra it cost to clear the route of unexploded bombs and munitions as well cover compensation charges. TenneT claimed that it paid 57 million for munitions clearance and an extra 43 million in charges and compensation due to the delay.
Last August TenneT was forced to delay grid connection of Riffgat, located near the island of Borkum in the German North Sea, in order to clear WWII ammunition from the seabed. At the time the windfarm was awaiting the last 50-kilometre (km) cable section to connect it to the mainland grid but TenneT admitted that clearing the munitions would take longer than expected. For additional information, see August 16, 2013, article - WWII Ammo Hits German Offshore Windfarm.
TenneT claimed that the initial investigations carried out by windfarm operators with regard to 'metallic objects' surveyed on the seabed were highly inaccurate. The grid operator said it found over 1,400 metallic objects - compared to the four originally reported - and had to dispose of almost 30 tons of ammunition before the planned cable route could be used.
Lex Hartman, CEO of TenneT, commented: "It is deeply regrettable that the planning of [the export cable] by the windfarm operator ultimately led to high additional costs that consumers will now have to bear."
EWE's board strongly refuted the stance taken by TenneT: "The allegations made by TenneT that the operator is responsible for the additional costs and delays in the network connection, (are) demonstrably false and somewhat embarrassing attempt to divert attention from their own inadequacies."
Riffgat was due to be commissioned in March last year. It uses 30 SWT-3.6-120 turbines manufactured by Siemens, each rated at 3.6 MW, and can generate enough electricity for around 120,000 households. It forms a key part of Germany's budding offshore wind sector which has been hampered in recent years by a series of chronic grid connection delays.
In late 2012, the German government set out to reduce the delays in getting offshore windfarms built by introducing a bill that will see consumers and grid operators being charged more if there are any more serious delays to getting windfarms constructed and connected to the grid. For additional information, see September 3, 2012, article - German Bill to Drive Offshore Projects.
View Project Report - 300009831
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.
