Dutch transmission operator TenneT has selected a consortium of Arcadis and Pondera Consult to compile an environmental impact report (EIR) and drive permit applications for a 1.4GW grid connection intended to support two 700MW offshore wind farms in the North Sea.

The offshore platforms at Borssele wind energy area will house four 350MW units.

Each of the platforms will be connected to TenneT’s expanded 380kV high-voltage substation in Borssele via two 220kV cables.

The consortium will prepare documents required for taking decisions as well as offer strategic advice on the permits process and stakeholder management.

TenneT Offshore NL senior manager Marco Kuijpers said: “The planned route map for the development of renewable energy in the Dutch section of the North Sea is ambitious.

“For large-scale infrastructural projects like this one, proper collaboration with all stakeholders is of great importance.

“We need to join forces and get going with the clearly-structured plan for the development of offshore wind presented in September by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.”

Borssele wind energy area is the first of the three government-selected zones for construction of 3.5GW offshore wind energy in the Netherlands.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands has selected TenneT as operator of the offshore grids which will be set up for the wind projects.