Nokia optical network to connect TenneT North Sea offshore wind farms

Nokia has been selected by TenneT, one of Europe’s leading offshore transmission systems operator, to provide the critical optical networking technology for eight new 2-gigawatt (2GW) platforms in the Dutch North Sea to deliver much-needed renewable energy to land. TenneT has commissioned three consortia — Petrofac and Hitachi Energy consortium, GE Vernova-Seatrium consortium and GE Vernova-McDermott consortium — to deliver the 2GW offshore converter platforms and onshore grid land stations. The program is a key component of the European energy transition, as the platforms will bring significant renewable energy volumes from offshore wind farms to the shore, contributing to Europe’s ambitious climate neutrality targets by 2050.

The 2GW program represents a pioneering model in energy transmission aimed at creating a more efficient, standardized approach to delivering offshore wind energy. To facilitate the operation of the wind parks behind the 2GW platforms and operate the unmanned platforms, TenneT needs to have a mission critical communication network in place. Nokia’s 1830 PSS DWDM solution will be used to establish a resilient, future ready optical network connecting the offshore sites to TenneT’s onshore telecommunications infrastructure. This network will enable TenneT to monitor and manage these remote platforms, ensuring continuous, reliable energy transmission.

As part of this deployment, Nokia will deliver advanced amplification and transponder technologies to support long-distance transmission, single-span unrepeatered transmission of up to 400 km. The solution includes Nokia’s extended reach amplification systems to maintain reliable optical transport, even across the challenging offshore environment. Nokia’s support services will also provide comprehensive design, testing, and operational care, ensuring the network meets TenneT’s high standards for resilience and performance during each phase of construction and long-term operation.

Marco Kuijpers, Director Large Projects Offshore at TenneT, said: “As we expand our offshore energy infrastructure, connectivity becomes more important than ever. The standardized, mission-critical optical network delivered by Nokia plays a central role in enabling the seamless operation and management of our 2GW platforms, allowing us to operate remotely. With partnerships like this, Nokia is helping us towards a more independent energy supply and to advance towards the global goals for tripled renewable energy deployment set during the COP28 climate talks.”

James Watt, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Optical Networks business at Nokia, said: “At Nokia we know that ‘there’s no green without digital’. This project demonstrates that principle in action. By delivering standardized, high-performance optical networking technology that meets the unique demands of offshore environments, Nokia is supporting TenneT in providing reliable green energy to millions of homes across the Netherlands and Europe.

The implementation of Nokia’s optical networking solution will begin in early 2025, aligning with the initial construction phases of the 2GW platforms. This deployment will allow for early integration and rigorous testing of the communication systems, supporting TenneT’s timeline for full operational readiness of the first 2GW platform by 2029.