Renewables
Ofgem sets date for record Hornsea 3 transmission tender
The UK energy regulator is preparing to launch its largest offshore transmission asset tender to date.
Key points
- Ofgem will open the tender for Hornsea 3 transmission assets on October 21.
- The competition is valued at approximately £3.5 billion.
- The project connects the 2.9 GW offshore wind farm to the onshore grid.
What happened
According to Offshore Energy, the UK energy regulator Ofgem will initiate a tender round on October 21 for the transmission infrastructure of the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. Valued at roughly £3.5 billion, the process represents the largest Offshore Transmission Owner tender conducted so far.
The competition focuses on the transmission assets moving electricity from the 2.9 GW wind farm to the onshore grid. The infrastructure includes two offshore converter stations completed by September 2026, export and onshore cables, and a converter station located in Norfolk.
Project scope and timeline
Situated 120 kilometres off the Norfolk coast, Hornsea 3 will feature 197 turbines of 14 MW capacity each, supplied by Siemens Gamesa. Foundation installation commenced earlier in the year, with inter-array cable laying slated to begin in October. Commercial operation is anticipated in 2027.
This new round follows Ofgem's previous tender covering assets for East Anglia Three, Inch Cape and Dogger Bank C, which had a combined value matching the single Hornsea 3 project estimate.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
27.8% of electricity in the world was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
