Starting on January 12, the offshore transformer substation for the Rentel wind farm will leave the assembly yard of manufacturer STX France in Saint-Nazaire (photo: Rentel NV)

On January 12, Rentel NV transports its offshore transformer substation from the assembly yard in Saint-Nazaire (France) to the Rentel wind farm concession in the North Sea. This offshore transformer substation is the beating heart of the wind farm. It collects and stabilises the produced wind energy, transforms the energy to 220 kV high voltage and conducts the electricity to the main land. The offshore transformer substation consists of a large steel building with 4 deck levels, weights 1,100 Tonnes and is designed to endure the extreme weather conditions in the North Sea. The installation of the offshore transformer substation is expected to be completed in Spring 2018. As from mid-2018, the Rentel wind farm will produce green energy for 300,000 households.

Starting on January 12, the offshore transformer substation for the Rentel wind farm will leave the assembly yard of manufacturer STX France in Saint-Nazaire. Then, the offshore transformer substation will be installed in the Rentel wind farm concession in the North Sea, on a foundation placed in September 2017. The offshore transformer substation consists of a large steel building with 4 deck levels and weights 1,100 tonnes. The design, fabrication and installation of the offshore transformer substation are part of an EPCI-contract between Rentel NV and STX France.

The offshore transformer substation collects and stabilises the power generated by the offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The main system consists of a power transformer and high voltage switchgear. “The substation is the beating heart of our wind farm. It transforms the produced wind energy to 220 kV high voltage and conducts the electricity to the main land, so we can deliver our Belgian green energy to consumers,” says CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck.

The offshore transformer substation is designed and built to survive the extreme weather conditions in the North Sea. The bottom of the substation is placed around 20 metres above the sea level and rests on a 1,850-tonne heavy foundation, which has been fixed 40 metres below the seabed. All ancillary and auxiliary systems were designed to ensure a safe operation of the offshore transformer substation during extreme weather conditions.

The Rentel wind farm is currently under construction. It will contain 42 wind turbines and provide green energy to 300.000 households annually. The wind turbines are expected to produce green energy from mid-2018. The wind energy of Rentel contributes to the Belgian climate objectives 2020 and the future energy supply.

Tags: Rentel NV, STX France