Indian engineering conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has replaced Petrofac in the high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) offshore wind programme led by Germany’s transmission system operator TenneT.
In partnership with Hitachi Energy, L&T will deliver HVDC converter stations for the project, which aims to accelerate the integration of large-scale renewable energy into the European power grid, particularly in the German and Dutch sectors of the North Sea.
Hitachi Energy and L&T will be responsible for the project portfolio of the Dutch offshore grid connections IJmuiden Ver Alpha, Nederwiek 1, Nederwiek 3, Doordewind 1, Doordewind 2 and the German offshore grid connection LanWin5.
Initially, TenneT signed a framework cooperation agreement with Hitachi Energy and Petrofac in March 2023 for six 2GW projects out of the total of fourteen 2GW grid connection systems planned by the German firm.
Cash-strapped Petrofac has been working on a financial restructuring of its business since 2024. As Petrofac could not meet its contractual obligations, TenneT terminated part of the contract related to the UK company’s scope last week. This led to Petrofac Limited entering administration only days later because of the contract cancellation.
“Partnering with TenneT and Hitachi Energy for this pioneering programme underscores the confidence our customers place in L&T’s growing capability to execute complex, technology-intensive infrastructure projects,” said S N Subrahmanyan, L&T chair and managing director.
