RWE, a German utility, has announced its bid in the 1.5GW Hollandse Kust West (HKW) offshore wind tender off the coast of the Netherlands, promising to match part of the massive array with a large electrolyzer for green hydrogen production and “unique concepts” to deliver a positive impact on biodiversity.
RWE Renewables’ chief executive for offshore wind, Sven Utermöhlen, said, “Our design concept for HKW VI includes technologies to build and run the wind farm in accordance with the North Sea ecology.”
“We will also invest in a comprehensive offshore wind R&D program with prominent Dutch partners to support local research and enterprises.”
“Our concept for HKW VII demonstrates a perfect match of supply and demand by combining offshore wind with 600MW electrolyzer capacity for green hydrogen production, as well as other flexible demand solutions like e-boilers and battery storage to unlock full system integration of offshore wind farms.”
Last week, TotalEnergies and Orsted, the world’s leading offshore wind company, unveiled a combined offer that involves the building of a 600MW electrolyzer, while rival BP guaranteed 500MW of electrolysis in Rotterdam if its bid is successful.
After the summer, a decision on the winners for the offshore wind zone, which is 53 kilometers off the Dutch coast, is expected.
There are additional qualitative requirements in the zero-subsidy tender. Bidders for the HKW VI must incorporate environmental measures in their development idea, whilst bidders for the HKW VII must include investment and innovation that benefits the Dutch energy system.
HKW is part of an ambitious plan to increase offshore wind capacity in the Netherlands to 21GW by 2030, up from 3GW at the end of last year.
RWE had previously announced intentions to supply BASF with power from a future, yet undetermined, 2GW offshore wind farm in order to decarbonize its operations and allow CO2-free hydrogen synthesis. SSE/Brookfield and Shell/Eneco have also linked up with Swedish utility Vattenfall for a combined offer at HKW, which has piqued the curiosity of a crowded field of bidders or bidding consortia.
RWE claims that their electrolyzer proposal, which is tied to HKW VII, provides a template for the ideal integration of offshore wind farms into the Dutch energy grid. The 600MW project will deliver green H2 to existing and new clients in the Dutch industrial sector. The business also plans to combine e-boilers for heating, battery storage, and electric car charging options.
