The Netherlands – TotalEnergies and RWE are teaming up to realize the OranjeWind project, a blueprint for the energy system of the future. Together they are building the Oranjewind offshore wind farm with a capacity of 795 megawatts.
In addition to the wind farm, the partners are also providing flexible system integration solutions, including electrolyzers, battery storage, e-boilers and smart charging solutions to perfectly match fluctuating wind power generation with flexible demand to contribute to grid stability.
TotalEnergies is taking a 50% equity stake in RWE’s offshore wind farm. The OranjeWind project will be the first system integration project in the Dutch energy market. The flexible solutions will be implemented in different parts of the Netherlands.
RWE, on behalf of the joint venture, will keep the leading role in the development, construction and operation of the wind farm, located about 53 kilometers from IJmuiden. Construction at sea is planned from 2026, with full commissioning in early 2028. With an expected annual generation of over 3 terawatt hours (TWh), OranjeWind will produce enough green electricity to power more than one million Dutch households.
StĂ©phane Michel, President Gas, Renewables & Power and Bernard Pinatel, President Refining & Chemicals, TotalEnergies: ‘We are delighted to be working on a project that will enable us to produce green hydrogen. We need these to reduce COâ‚‚ emissions from our refineries in Northern Europe. This integrated, innovative project perfectly illustrates our pioneering role in the energy transition in Europe, particularly with the emergence of offshore wind energy coupled with green hydrogen electrolysers in the Netherlands.
Accelerating new offshore energy technologies
An important part of the OranjeWind project is to accelerate the commercial application of new offshore energy technologies. This is achieved by helping innovative parties and startups test and further develop their innovation in an operational environment.
To make more efficient use of the available space at sea, a floating solar park, with the help of RWE, is being developed by SolarDuck. The partners are also developing a scanning LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system, a technology that can accurately measure wind speed over long distances. In addition, the OranjeWind project will also demonstrate an underwater seabed battery system being developed in collaboration with Verlume. Finally, in collaboration with Ocean Grazer, an underwater “pumped hydro storage” system is being developed.
Suppliers
For the realization of the project, supply agreements have been signed with Vestas for 53 15-MW (V236) turbines and with Sif for the supply of foundations for 53 monopiles. TKF will manufacture the inter-array cable systems, and Jan de Nul has been contracted for transportation and installation of the foundations and wind turbines. The offshore grid connection will be provided by grid operator Tennet.
