Danish power transmission grid operator Energinet.dk, its Dutch counterpart TenneT and TenneT's subsidiary in Germany have agreed on developing a large renewable European electricity system in the North Sea. The trilateral agreement will be signed on 23 March 2017.
The transmission system operators will jointly build one or several islands (so called "Power Link Islands") in the middle of the North Sea, at the Dogger Bank. The Power Link Islands will enable the connection of 70 GW to 100 GW of offshore wind parks and will be interconnected through direct current lines to the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and Belgium. These transmission cables will also function as interconnectors between the energy markets of the North Sea countries.
TenneT is already developing offshore wind transmission capacities in the areas of Borssele, Hollandse Kust (zuid) and Hollandse Kust (noord), which are expected to be commissioned in 2023. Other areas including IJmuiden Ver (5-6 GW) are under consideration.