German transmission system operator 50Hertz has awarded a major contract to Siemens Energy and Neptun Smulders Offshore Renewables (NSORe) to build the North Sea Connector 2, a new offshore grid connection system designed to support the next phase of Germany’s renewable energy expansion.
The project will enable the transmission of up to 2 gigawatts (GW) of electricity generated by offshore wind farms in the North Sea to Germany’s onshore power grid, strengthening the country’s clean energy infrastructure and supporting long-term decarbonization goals.
Under the contract, NSORe, a joint venture between Neptun Werft, part of the Meyer Werft Group, and Belgian construction company Smulders, will fabricate the offshore converter platform. Most of the construction work will take place at the Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany. Siemens Energy will supply the electrical transmission technologies required for the platform and has also secured a long-term service agreement covering maintenance, IT services, and operational support.
Siemens Energy expects to fully book the order during its fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The company highlighted that approximately 95 percent of its project scope for North Sea Connector 2 will be delivered from Germany. Transformers and converter systems will be manufactured in Nuremberg, while SF₆-free gas-insulated switchgear will be supplied from Berlin.
The project aligns with Siemens Energy’s ongoing investments of several hundred million euros in expanding manufacturing capacity across Germany to meet growing demand for energy transition technologies. The company has been increasing production capabilities to support the rapid deployment of offshore wind and grid infrastructure projects across Europe.
The North Sea Connector 2 platform will be located approximately 200 kilometers west of the island of Sylt. The topside structure, comparable in height to a multi-story building, will be constructed by Meyer Werft in Rostock-Warnemünde. Meanwhile, Smulders will manufacture the jacket foundation in the Netherlands before the two components are assembled offshore.
The converter platform will play a critical role in transmitting renewable energy efficiently over long distances. Electricity generated by offshore wind turbines will be converted from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) on the offshore platform before being transported to shore through subsea cables. At an onshore converter station, the power will be converted back into alternating current and integrated into the transmission grid.
For 50Hertz, which manages the electricity network across eastern Germany, Berlin, and Hamburg, the project represents another significant step toward integrating large-scale offshore wind capacity into the national energy system. The selection of a consortium capable of manufacturing key components within Germany also highlights the growing competitiveness of domestic shipyards and industrial suppliers in the offshore renewable energy sector. As Germany accelerates offshore wind deployment in the North Sea, projects such as North Sea Connector 2 are becoming essential to ensuring that renewable energy generated far offshore can be reliably delivered to homes, businesses, and industries across the country.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
