Draft of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan for the German Exclusive Economic Zone of the North Sea 2016/2017. unofficial translation

Transcription

1 Draft of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan for the German Exclusive Economic Zone of the North Sea 2016/2017 unofficial translation Hamburg, June 2017

2 Content 1 THE SPATIAL OFFSHORE GRID PLAN Legal Basis and Objectives Planning Framework Scope of Application, Legal Nature Instruments of Power System Planning under the Current Legal Situation Central Model of Area Development and Preliminary Investigation of Areas from EEG Area Development Plan... 5 Preliminary Investigation of Areas... 6 Tenders for Preliminary Investigated Areas... 7 Network Development Plan Transitional System: Application Period Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and Network Development Plan until the End of Transitional System for Existing Offshore Wind Farm Projects for Commissioning 2021 by the End of DRAFT PROCEDURE INTRODUCTION Legal Framework Sense and Purpose of the Standardized Technical Specifications and Planning Principles Possibility of Deviating from Specifications and Principles in Individual Cases IDENTIFICATION OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS FOR COLLECTIVE GRID CONNECTIONS Planning Horizon Objectives of the Federal Government until 2020 and until Scenario Framework and Offshore Network Development Plan Planning Horizon until Outlook from 2031 to approx Spatial Definition of Clusters Clusters included until Clusters included from 2031 to approx Cartographic Representation of Clusters Included Determination of the Expected Offshore Wind Farm Capacity Calculation Method for Determining the Capacity Cluster Capacity Planning Horizon Cluster Capacity Planning Horizon from 2031 to approx GRID CONNECTIONS FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARMS UNTIL Technical Concept for Grid Connections Standardised Technical Specifications Sites for Converter Platforms Standardised Technical Specifications...18

3 5.2.2 Planning Principles Spatial Stipulations...20 Cartographic Representation Corridors for Cable Routes for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems Standardised Technical Specifications...21 Planning Principles...22 Spatial Stipulations...24 Cartographic Representation Corridors for Cable Routes for HVAC Subsea Cable Systems Standardised Technical Specifications...25 Planning Principles...25 Spatial Stipulations...27 Cartographic Representation Corridors for Cable Routes for Cross-Cluster HVAC Subsea Cable Systems Standardised Technical Specifications...28 Planning Principles...28 Spatial Stipulations...31 Cartographic Representation Cartographic Representation of Grid Connections until CORRIDORS FOR CROSSBORDER SUBSEA CABLE SYSTEMS (INTERCONNECTORS) Standardised Technical Specifications Planning Principles Spatial Stipulations Cartographic Representation CORRIDORS FOR CABLE ROUTES FOR CROSS CONNECTIONS Standardised Technical Specifications Planning Principles Spatial Stipulations Cartographic Representation GRID CONNECTIONS FOR OFFSHORE WIND FARMS AND CROSS CONNECTIONS FROM 2031 TO ABOUT Standardised Technical Specifications Planning Principles Spatial Stipulations Converter Platforms...44 Gates...44 HVDC Subsea Cable Systems...44 Cross Connections Cartographic Representation...45

4 9 FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE SPATIAL OFFSHORE GRID PLAN 2013/ CONSIDERATION PROVISIONAL SUMMARY ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AND MEASURES ENVISAGED CONCERNING MONITORING THE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Provisional Summary Environmental Statement in Accordance with Section 14l Environmental Impact Assessment Act Monitoring Programmes in Accordance with Section 14m Environmental Impact Assessment Act ANNEX: MAPS List of Illustrations Map 1: Clusters for Offshore Wind Farms in the North Sea EEZ...13 Map 2: Sites for Converter Platforms in Offshore Wind Farm Cluster Map 3: Corridors for Cable Routes for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems Cluster Map 4: Areas for HVAC Subsea Cable Systems and Cross-Cluster HVAC Subsea Cable Systems Cluster Map 5: Summarising Depiction of Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms until Map 6: Representation of Interconnectors...37 Map 7: Representation of Cross Connections...41 Map 8: Representation of Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms and Cross Connections from Map 9: Summary of the Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms and Cross Connections...46 Map 10: North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan Shipping Routes...48 Map 11: Subsea Cable Systems, Pipelines, Traffic Separation Scheme Description...48 Map 12: Offshore Wind Farms and Converter Platforms Descriptions...49 Map 13: Main Concentration Area for Divers, Descriptions of Nature Conservation Sites and Priority Areas for Wind Energy from the North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan 49 Map 14: Draft Spatial Offshore Grid Plan-EEZ North Sea 2016/ List of Tables Table 1: Cluster 1-8 with an Assumed Installed Capacity of the Offshore Wind Farms and the Resulting Number of Grid Connection Systems and their Capacity...15 Table 2: Cluster 9-13 with an Assumed Installed Capacity of the Offshore Wind Farms and the Resulting Number of Grid Connection Systems and their Capacity...16

5 1 The Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 1.1 Legal Basis and Objectives In accordance with Section 17a of the Federal Energy Act (EnWG) 1 the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency has set up an offshore grid plan ( Bundesfachplan Offshore - BFO) for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Federal Republic of Germany in consultation with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) and in coordination with the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the coastal federal states. According to the statutory assignment, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan in the first place defines the offshore wind farms which are suitable for collective grid connections. Along with the stipulation of the necessary cable routes and sites for the offshore wind farms grid connections, the Spatial Offshore Grid plan contains the cable routes for interconnectors and descriptions of possible cross connections. It is the goal of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan to spatially coordinate the existing grid infrastructure and grid topology, particularly in view of the offshore wind farm grid connections in the EEZ, within the parameters given, and to define them in the interests of forward-looking and coordinated overall planning. The Spatial Offshore Grid Plan is intended to implement the purpose and objectives of the Renewable Energy Sources Act ( Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz - EEG ). According to Section 1 EEG, the purpose of the Act is to enable a sustainable development of energy supply, in particular in the interests of climate and environmental protection, to reduce the economic costs of energy supply by including long-term external effects, to conserve fossil energy resources and to develop technologies for generation of electricity from renewable energies. The goal is according to Section 1 (2) EEG to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable energies in electricity consumption to between 40 and 45 percent by 2025, between 55 and 60 percent by 2035 and at least 80 percent by the year This expansion shall be continuous, cost-efficient and network-compatible. According to Section 1 (3) EEG this objective also serves to increase the share of renewable energies in the total gross energy consumption to at least 18 percent by the year This plan also serves to implement the purpose and objectives of the EnWG. According to Section 1 EnWG, the purpose of the Act is to provide the most secure, costeffective, consumer-friendly, efficient and environmentally compatible electricity-related supply of electricity and gas to the general public, which is increasingly based on renewable energies. The regulation of electricity and gas supply networks serves the objectives of ensuring effective and unadulterated competition in the supply of electricity and gas and ensuring a long-term, efficient and reliable operation of energy supply networks. The purpose of this Act is also the implementation and implementation of European Community law in the field of grid-based energy supply. In order to achieve the purpose of the EnWG in the field of grid-based electricity-supply to the general public, the Act pursues in particular the objectives 1 Law of July 7, 2005, Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1970, p. 3621, as last amended by Article 117 Law for the reduction of dispensable formulations of the form in the administrative law of the Federal Republic of , Federal Law Gazette I p Law of 21 July 2014, Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1066, as last amended by Article 2 of the Act amending the Provisions on electricity generation from cogeneration and self-sufficiency of 22 December 2016, Federal Law Gazette I, p

6 of strengthening free pricing for electricity through competitive market mechanisms, to allow the balancing of supply and demand for electricity in electricity markets at all times, to ensure that generation facilities, electrical energy storage facilities and loads are as environmentally friendly as possible, network-compatible, efficient and flexible to the extent necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of the electricity supply system, and to strengthen the internal electricity market and to intensify cooperation, in particular with the countries bordering on the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as with the Kingdom of Norway and the Kingdom of Sweden. Since the introduction of the Law for the Development and Promotion of Wind Energy at Sea (Windenergie-auf-See-Gesetz - WindSeeG 3 ) with effect from 01 January 2017, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan also pursues the purpose and objectives of the WindSeeG. According to Section 1 WindSeeG, its purpose is to expand the use of wind energy at sea, especially in the interest of climate and environmental protection. The goal is to increase the installed capacity of wind power plants at sea from 2021 to a total of 15 gigawatts by the year This increase shall be continuous, cost-efficient and taking account of the network capacities required for the acceptance, transmission and distribution of the electricity. The expansion of wind power plants at sea and the expansion of the offshore grid connections are therefore to be coordinated with each other, taking into account the grid connection points on land, and a synchronization of the respective plans, approvals, erections and commissioning shall be achieved. The most recent Spatial Offshore Grid Plan for the North Sea EEZ is the BFO-N 2013/2014 as well as the BFO-N 2016, Teil 1 (Clusterübergreifende Anbindungen). 1.2 Planning Framework With the Ordinance on Spatial Planning in the German Exclusive Economic Zone in the North Sea (AWZ Nordsee-ROV) 4 of 12th December 2009, there is a spatial plan available for the North Sea (Annex on Section 1 AWZ Nordsee-ROV hereinafter: Maritime Spatial Plan). According to Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 1 EnWG, compliance with the requirements of spatial planning in terms of Section 3 Federal Spatial Planning Act 5 must be checked. According to Section 4 (1) Federal Spatial Planning Act, when the current plan is compiled, the spatial planning goals must be observed and the principles and other spatial planning requirements considered in decisions based on deliberations and discretion. In principle, the current plan completes the framework set out by the Maritime Spatial Plan. The plan has the same accuracy such as the Maritime Spatial Plan that corresponds to the scale 1: The fundamental spatially-significant stipulations in this plan are in the identification of offshore wind farms which are related in a spatial context and suitable for collective grid connections and in the site, cable route and corridor planning for grid connection systems. Proceeding from the conditions ascertained, the technical requirements and the priority areas for wind energy already determined in the Maritime Spatial Plan, the plan identifies clusters of offshore facilities for collective grid connections. The clusters, as far as they go beyond the priority areas stipulated for wind energy thus far, create the conditions for the ordered further development of the grid connection systems which were only sketched out as suggestions in 3 Law of 21 July 2014, Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1066, as last amended by Article 2 of the Act amending the Provisions on electricity generation from cogeneration and self-sufficiency of 22 December 2016, Federal Law Gazette I, p Federal Law Gazette I p Law of December 22, 2008, Federal Law Gazette I p. 2986, most recently amended by Art. 124 Tenth Regulatory Adjustment Ordinance of , Federal Law Gazette I, p

7 the Maritime Spatial Plan. This corresponds in particular to the existing Federal Spatial Planning Act principle of an economic use of space. In view of the stipulation of cable routes for cables transmitting electricity towards shore, the sectoral plan continues to develop the stipulation of target corridors to the territorial sea in the Maritime Spatial Plan. This is done taking into account the progressing technical experience and on the basis of the identified clusters and the requirements of spatial planning. A large part of the plan's remaining stipulations, in particular regarding standardised technical specifications and planning principles, generally derive from the existing Maritime Spatial Plan or they implement it. Due to the degree of detail, a range of further technical stipulations do not find any equivalent in the Maritime Spatial Plan; instead, they express the sectoral, in this respect independent, planning carried out. 1.3 Scope of Application, Legal Nature The plan's scope of application comprises the spatial identification of offshore wind farms which are suitable for collective grid connections and the spatial stipulation of cable routes for subsea cable systems and sites for converter platforms in the German North Sea EEZ. The grid topology is spatially defined and stipulated within the North Sea EEZ. In addition, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan contains standardised technical specifications and planning principles necessary to determine the spatial requirements and for overall coordination. With these specifications, it is intended that a reliable planning basis is created without preventing technical progress. The plan therefore corresponds to the nature of sectoral planning. According to the currently applicable legal situation, the grid plan will become legally binding through an update of the Maritime Spatial Plan for the EEZ of the North Sea. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is the responsible body for updating this regulation pursuant to Section 17 (3) Clause 1 Federal Spatial Planning Act. In late 2012, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency submitted an evaluation report which states the need to update the spatial planning in the EEZ in relation to the sectoral grid planning. During Section 17a (5) EnWG the stipulations of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan are legally binding for planning approval procedures in accordance with the provisions of the Marine Facilities Ordinance ( Seeanlagenverordnung SeeAnLV). From a spatial perspective, the plan's scope of application extends to the German EEZ, according to the statutory allocation of powers in Section 17a (1) Clause 1 EnWG. Therefore, there is no stipulation of cable routes going beyond the borders of the German EEZ. The circumstance that particularly the cable routes for subsea cable systems stipulated spatially in the EEZ must be added to an overall system consistent up to the grid connection points onshore is accommodated in the consultation and coordination requirement with the Federal Network Agency, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the coastal federal states for the North Sea region Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. In this respect, close consultation is carried out. This applies, in particular, to the stipulation of the gates on the border of the EEZ and the 12 nm zone. 1.4 Instruments of Power System Planning under the Current Legal Situation Scenario Framework Pursuant to Section 12a EnWG, the transmission system operators (TSO) must draw up a common scenario framework every two years. This scenario framework includes at least three development paths (scenarios A, B and C) covering the range of probable developments within the medium- and long-term energy policy objectives of the Federal Government for at least the next ten and at most 15 years. One of the scenarios must represent the probable development for at least the next 15 and at most 20 years. The scenario framework is the basis for the compilation of the Network Development Plan 3

8 ( Netzentwicklungsplan - NEP) pursuant to Section 12b EnWG and the Offshore Network Development Plan ( Offshore-Netzentwicklungsplan O-NEP) pursuant to Section 17b EnWG and was approved by the Federal Network Agency in compliance with Section 12a (3) EnWG after conducting a consultation and examination. Offshore Network Development Plan and Network Development Plan According to Section 17b EnWG, the transmission system operators must submit to the Federal Network Agency the O-NEP for the German EEZ and the territorial sea up to and including the grid connection points onshore together with the NEP according to Section 17b EnWG for confirmation. By taking into account the specifications of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan the O-NEP must contain all effective measures for the optimization, reinforcement and expansion of the offshore grid connections, which must be implemented at the latest at the end of the period under review within the meaning of Section 12a (1) sentence 2 EnWG, which are necessary for a gradual, appropriate and economic expansion as well as a safe and reliable operation of the offshore grid connection. The O-NEP therefore specifies the specific chronological order of implementation of the grid connection systems for the next ten and at most 15 years as well as an additional outlook for the next 15 and at most 20 years. The transmission system operators have to submit in every even calendar year, starting in 2016, a Network Development Plan (NEP) according to Section 12b (1) EnWG, which must include, amongst other things, all effective measures for the needs-based optimisation, reinforcement and expansion of the grid which are necessary no later than the end of the period of observation within the meaning of the scenario framework under Section 12a (1) Sentence 2 EnWG. Allocation of Offshore Grid Connection Capacities according to WindSeeG As a result of the WindSeeG, the Federal Network Agency will auction offshore capacity from the year 2017 onwards (and for pilot wind energy turbines at sea already partly in 2016) according to the new tendering procedure of the WindSeeG. The procedure is governed by Section 34 WindSeeG. Ten Year Network Development Plan According to Article 8 (3 (b)) of Regulation (EC) No. 714/2009, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) will adopt a non-binding Community-wide decennial network development plan ( Community-wide network development plan ) including a European generation adequacy outlook, every two years. In this context, the European transmission system operators published a so-called Ten Year Network Development Plan in its final and consulted version on 20 December 2016 (TYNDP 2016). This plan contains trans-regional and international expansion measures which are significant for transboundary European energy transmission. The results developed at national level in the NEP and O-NEP will be included in the relevant TYNDP. Spatial Offshore Grid Plan The Spatial Offshore Grid Plan stipulates the cable routes, corridors for cable routes or sites for the O-NEP measures to be confirmed based on standardised technical specifications and planning principles. This plan for the North Sea comprises the technical and spatial stipulations for the German North Sea EEZ. The corresponding plan for the Baltic Sea EEZ is being compiled in a separate procedure. 4

9 1.5 Central Model of Area Development and Preliminary Investigation of Areas from EEG 2017 On 1 January 2017 the EEG 2017 entered into force. In the course of the EEG reform, the EnWG was amended and the WindSeeG was introduced. In the case of offshore wind energy, the conversion of the promotion regime under the Renewable Energy Sources Act 2014 (EEG 2014) is fundamentally new to a competitive determination of the market premium through tenders. With the WindSeeG, the statutory framework for a so-called central model of the area development and preliminary investigation of areas is introduced for wind power plants at sea, which are going into operation from 2026 onwards. From 2026 onwards the task of offshore grid planning and development will be carried out by the Area Development Plan (Section 4 et seq. WindSeeG), the preliminary investigation of areas (Section 9 et seq. WindSeeG) and the tendering of preliminary investigated areas (Section 14 et seq. WindSeeG) Area Development Plan The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency is, according to Section 4 et seq. WindSeeG responsible for the establishment, amendment and updating of the Area Development Plan ( Flächenentwicklungsplan FEP). From 2026 until at least 2030, the Area Development Plan meets planning stipulations for the EEZ, and can also make planning stipulations for the territorial sea in accordance with an administrative agreement between Federal Government and the respective federal state concerned. According to Section 5 (4) WindSeeG, the Area Development Plan makes the following stipulations: Territories or areas and their chronological order in which the defined areas are to come to the tender by the Federal Network Agency Calendar years in which the wind turbines are to be installed at sea and the corresponding offshore grid connection are to be put into operation on the defined areas The expected output to be installed of wind turbines at sea in the territories/areas (700 to 900 megawatts and an average of no more than 840 megawatts at each bid date and commissioning from 2026 onwards) Sites for converter platforms, bundling platforms and if possible transformer substation platforms Cable routes or corridors for offshore grid connections Locations where the grid connections for offshore wind farms cross the border between the Exclusive Economic Zone and the territorial sea (so called gates) Cable routes or corridors for cable routes for interconnectors or possible cross connections between the facilities of the offshore grid connections Standardised technical specifications and planning principles. For the period from 2021 onwards, the Area Development Plan may provide offshore grid connection capacities available for areas in the EEZ and in the territorial sea on existing or in the following years still to be completed offshore grid connections, which can be allocated to pilot wind energy turbines at sea. Spatial requirements for the construction of pilot wind energy turbines at sea can be made and the technical characteristics of the offshore grid connection and the resulting technical prerequisites for the grid connection of pilot wind energy turbines at sea can be specified. 5

10 When stipulating the areas and the chronological order of their call for tenders, the following criteria are examined by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency according to Section 5 (4) WindSeeG: The efficient use and utilization of the offshore grid connections that already exist at the time the Area Development Plan is drawn up or the offshore grid connections are unconditionally confirmed in the Offshore Network Development Plan, The orderly and efficient planning, construction, commissioning, utilization and exploitation of the offshore grid connections and grid connection points to be completed on land in 2026 and the following years; by taking into consideration the planning and actual development of networks on land, The proximity to the coast, Conflict of usage on an area, The probable actual construction feasibility of an area, the expected power to be installed on one area and the resulting suitability of the area for cost-effective electricity generation and a balanced distribution of the tender volume on areas in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea taking into account the overall potential. The stipulations are made in such a way that wind turbines at sea with an expected installed capacity of 700 to 900 megawatts and of an average of no more than 840 megawatts are published at every bid date and are put into operation from year 2026 per calendar year. In addition to the establishment, amendment and updating of the Area Development Plan, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency is conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment. The first Area Development Plan has to be announced by 30 June 2019 (Section 6 para. 8 WindSeeG) Preliminary Investigation of Areas The Federal Network Agency is responsible for the preliminary investigation of areas according to Section 11 para. 1 Sentence 1 WindSeeG. In accordance with Section 11 para. 1 sentence 2 no. 2 WindSeeG, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency is commissioned to carry out the preliminary investigation for areas in the EEZ in accordance with the administrative agreement of March The Maritime and Hydrographic Agency thus performs the tasks of the agency responsible for the preliminary investigation within the meaning of the Act pursuant to Section 11 para. 2 sentence 1 WindSeeG. The preliminary investigation of areas is carried out with the aim that the Federal Network Agency tenders the appropriate areas according to Section 16 et seq. WindSeeG. The tenderer must subsequently carry out a plan approval procedure for the construction and operation of wind energy turbines at sea according to Section 44 et seq. WindSeeG at the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency. Pursuant to Section 9 (1) of the WindSeeG, the preliminary investigation is carried out with the aim of providing the bidders with the information necessary for a competitive determination of the market premium pursuant to Section 22 EEG and to determining the suitability of the areas and to examine individual objects of inspection in advance in order to speed up the subsequent plan approval procedure on these areas. The procedure for carrying out the preliminary investigation including the suitability test of areas defined in the Area Development Plan development plan is based on Section 12 WindSeeG. A strategic environmental assessment (SEA) must also be carried out. According to Section 9 (3) WindSeeG, the preliminary investigation of areas is to be carried out in such a way that prior to the publication of the invitation to tender the preliminary 6

11 investigation of at least the areas has been completed which are to be invited to tender following the Area Development Plan in this and the following calendar year. In detail, the following steps are provided by law: The competent authority shall announce the initiation of the procedure for the preliminary investigation of an area pursuant to Section 73 WindSeeG. Immediately after the initiation of the procedure, the competent authority shall conduct a hearing. The purpose and scope of the preliminary investigation measures are to be discussed. In particular, the extent and level of detail to be included in the environmental report according to Section 14g of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act ( Gesetz über die Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung - UVPG) are to be discussed. The hearing date is at the same time a discussion within the meaning of Section 14f para. 4 sentence 2 UVPG. In addition to the intended invitations, the public is informed in accordance with Section 73 WindSeeG by notice on the website of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency and in the notices to mariners ( Nachrichten für Seefahrer - NfS). The hearing is public. On the basis of the results of the hearing, the competent authority shall establish an investigation framework for the preliminary investigation of the area, including the scope of the SEA, at its discretion. The competent authority shall assert the information pursuant to Section 10 para. 1 WindSeeG, the defined investigation framework, determine the suitability and the power to be installed. The first preliminary investigations are to be started as soon as clarity is reached on the areas eligible for a preliminary investigation after the last tender for existing projects. The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency expects this to be the case in summer 2018 (see also chapter 1.5.6). If the area is suitable for tender, this result and the power to be installed on this area are determined by a legal order. The suitability determination may include requirements for the future offshore wind farm project, in particular on the type and extent of the development of the area and its position on the area, if otherwise, by the installation and operation of wind energy turbines on this area impairments of the criteria and interests pursuant to Section 10 para 2 WindSeeG are to be procured. The information required according to the UVPG will be made available for inspection and the appropriate place and time are made known. If the suitability test reveals that the area is not suitable for the tender, the competent authority shall announce this result, transmit the result to the responsible transmission system operator and update the Area Development Plan. At the end of the procedure, the information including the investigation results, the documents from the preliminary investigation as well as the power to be installed shall be transmitted to the Federal Network Agency, if the suitability of the area has been determined Tenders for Preliminary Investigated Areas The invitation to tender for the areas for which suitability has been determined is provided by the Federal Network Agency according to Section 16 et seq. WindSeeG. In accordance with Section 17 sentence 1 WindSeeG, Federal Network Agency tender a volume of 700 to 900 megawatts annually from the year 2021 on. Six months before this date, the Federal Network Agency publishes the invitation to tender pursuant to Section 19 WindSeeG, including the respective information and documents provided by the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency pursuant to Section 10 para. 1 WindSeeG, with the further legally provided information. 7

12 1.5.4 Network Development Plan The coordination of the offshore grid planning and expansion with the network expansion on land will continue by close coordination with the Network Development Plan pursuant to Section 12b EnWG, for which the transmission network operators and the Federal Network Agency are still responsible Transitional System: Application Period Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and Network Development Plan until the End of 2025 The transition from the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and the Offshore Network Development Plan into the Area Development Plan is regulated by law in Section 7 of the WindSeeG. According to this, from the year 2026 onwards the stipulations made so far in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan will be replaced by the stipulations made in the Area Development Plan. The stipulations made so far in the Offshore Network Development Plan will partly be included in the specifications made in the Area Development Plan and partly in the specifications made in the Network Development Plan. Pursuant to Section 17a para 7 EnWG, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan will no longer be drawn up as of December As from 1 January 2018 the transmission system operators will no longer provide an Offshore Network Development Plan Transitional System for Existing Offshore Wind Farm Projects for Commissioning 2021 by the End of 2025 The WindSeeG provides for a transitional phase for the period of commissioning of offshore wind power turbines between 2021 and the end of For the transitional phase Section 27 para. 2 WindSeeG stipulates that existing offshore wind farm projects within the meaning of Section 26 WindSeeG can participate in two tenders (01 March 2017 and 01 March 2018) for grid connection capacity of 1,550 MW each. The Federal Network Agency is obliged to make known the conditions of the invitation to tender in accordance with Section 29 WindSeeG, and in accordance with Section 26 no. 5 WindSeeG, to specify in which cases cross-cluster connections are in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan pursuant to Section 17a EnWG and in the confirmed Offshore Network Development Plan pursuant to Section 17b and 17c et seq. EnWG and to what extent additional grid connection capacity is available in the cluster which can be cross connected. On the basis of these legal requirements, the update part 1, 2016, of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan contains the exceptionally cross-cluster connections, published on 9 December

13 2 Draft Procedure Summarised Overview of the Fundamental Procedural Steps Publication of Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 2016, Part 1, Cross-Cluster Connections on 9 December 2016 Determination of update requirements Letter to TSOs as well as relevant manufacturers and operators' associations on the standardized technical specifications and possible technical innovations for grid connection concepts Development draft update Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 2016/2017 and SEA report Introduction Participation (national and international) Public disclosure and publication of the draft documents Deadline for national and international responding to draft documents Public Hearing Meeting Consideration statements and objections Coordination with the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, the coastal federal states, possibly other parties Agreement with the Federal Network Agency Publication 9

14 3 Introduction The development of a strategically planned grid topology for the transmission of energy is of enormous significance for the power supply using renewable energy sources. A systematic and efficient grid expansion is an essential requirement, above all for the accelerated expansion of offshore wind energy. In order to legally stipulate the cable routes and sites necessary for the grid topology in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency was given the task of spatially planning the grid connection systems in the EEZ within the sense of a coordinated, overall system. The following chapters will illustrate in more detail the individual subject matters of Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 1 to 7 EnWG. The structure is following the statutory specifications. 3.1 Legal Framework According to the legal requirements, the plan contains stipulations regarding: 1. Offshore facilities (offshore wind farms) in spatial context and suitable for collective grid connections (Chapter 4). 2. Cable routes and corridors for cable routes for grid connections for offshore wind farms (Chapter 5.3 and 8), 3. Locations where the grid connections for offshore wind farms cross the border between the Exclusive Economic Zone and the territorial sea (gates, Chapter and 8.3.2), 4. Sites for converter or transformer substation platforms (Chapters 4 and 5.2), 5. Cable routes or corridors for cable routes for interconnectors (Chapter 6) 6. Cable routes or corridors for cable routes for possible cross connections between the facilities and cable routes mentioned in 1, 2, 4 and 5 (Chapter 7) and 7. Standardised technical specifications and planning principles. When creating the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan for the North Sea, the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency will examine whether the stipulations are obstructed by any predominant public or private concerns. The following will be examined in particular: Compliance with spatial planning requirements Coordination with other spatially significant planning and measures Alternatives to cable routes, corridors for cable routes or sites to be given serious consideration. 3.2 Sense and Purpose of the Standardized Technical Specifications and Planning Principles The stipulation of planning principles and standardized technical specifications is a mandatory prerequisite for the concrete determination of the required space of the entire network topology within the scope of the BFO-N. The aim of stipulating standardized technical specifications and planning principles is to provide a basis for a systematic and coordinated overall planning. Otherwise, the required space could not be determined with the necessary precision for a space-saving planning. The technical network connection concept of the TSO serves as a starting point for defining the standardized technical specifications. The planning principles are based on the objectives and principles of the Maritime Spatial Plan. In the context of the establishment of the Maritime Spatial Plan, an overall assessment 10

15 of the uses has already been made. The relevant objectives and principles are predominantly taking over as planning principles in the BFO-N and are examined - with regard to the applicability concerning to the regulatory objects on the basis of the submitted interests and rights -, concretized and weighted by their importance against each other. The stipulation of standardized technical specifications and planning principles is already based on a weighing of possible public concerns and legal positions (see the justification of the individual specifications and principles), so that the stipulation of standardized technical specifications and planning principles already includes a "preliminary examination" of possible alternatives. 3.3 Possibility of Deviating from Specifications and Principles in Individual Cases The standardized technical specifications, defined in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and implemented in the spatial planning, as well as the planning principles have to be understood as principles, which can be deviated from in a justified case. In the context of the implementation of the specifications and principles within spatial planning of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan deviations from individual principles had to be made, because in individual cases not all principles could or can be implemented simultaneously due to existing framework conditions. Therefore they must be weighed against each other. In the corresponding chapters the deviations from the principles are described and justified. If a deviation is required it must be submitted in the individual approval procedures as well as in the procedure of updating the plan while it has to be justified comprehensibly and plausibly. It is essential that the deviation achieves the pursued objectives and purposes in an equivalent manner or do not affect them significantly. Any deviation is to be justified plausible and comprehensible in the individual licensing procedure for each principle or technical specification. In this context the project sponsor has to argue the compliance with the legal requirements in the individual licensing procedure, i. e. in particular represent the following and submit for verification: Possible impacts on public and private concerns and interests (including the network users), Agreement or consent with or from affected third parties and Consideration of the economical and gentle use of the area within the meaning of Section 2 (2) No. 6 ROG In the case of an overall assessment, it is necessary for the deviation to fulfill the objectives and purposes of the relevant principle and the plan in an equivalent manner, respectively not significantly affect the objectives and purposes. The deviation must not affect the basic intention of the plan. Following the principles developed within the framework of the ROG, particular atypical individual cases can be an indication of such deviations. Standardized technical specifications and planning principles for the objects of regulation are shown below and implemented in spatial planning. The spatial definitions are described in text form and illustrated cartographically. 11

16 4 Identification of Offshore Wind Farms for Collective Grid Connections According to Section 17a (1) Sentence 2 No. 1 EnWG, wind energy turbines are to be identified at sea, which are suitable for collective grid connections. According to the definition in Section 3 No. 49 Renewable Energy Sources Act 2017 in conjunction with Section 3 (7) WindSeeG, an "wind energy turbine at sea" is defined as any installation for the generation of electricity from wind energy which has been constructed at sea at a distance of at least three nautical miles from the coastal line from the sea. Several offshore wind energy turbines form an offshore wind farm. When identifying offshore wind farms which are suitable for collective grid connections, offshore wind farms in the North Sea EEZ are identified in the first place with regard to the planning horizon, which are principally suitable, according to the point of reference available to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, for the expansion path of the EEG Planning Horizon Objectives of the Federal Government until 2020 and until 2030 In Section 4, No. 2 EEG, the expansion path for offshore wind energy is regulated by an increase in the installed capacity of wind turbines at sea to 6,500 megawatts in 2020 and 15,000 megawatts in Scenario Framework and Offshore Network Development Plan Planning Horizon until 2030 The scenarios approved by the Federal Network Agency according to Section 12a EnWG form the basis for the development of the Network Development Plan and the Offshore Network Development Plan. In particular, the targets set out in Section 4 No. 2 EEG - 6,500 megawatts in 2020 and 15,000 megawatts in as well as the objectives set out in Section 1 WindSeeG are to be taken as a basis for a steady and cost-efficient expansion of wind energy at sea. According to Section 27 (4) WindSeeG the volume of tenders will lead to an expansion of 500 MW in 2021 (exclusively in the Baltic Sea) 500 MW in 2022, 700 MW in 2023, 700 MW in 2024 and 700 MW in The second draft of the O-NEP 2030 provides a total of six offshore grid connections for the North Sea. In line with the period under consideration of the scenario framework and the O-NEP 2030, a planning horizon until 2030 will also be used as part of this plan Outlook from 2031 to approx In addition, with a view to the Area Development Plan for the period from 2026 to at least 2030, a planning horizon from 2031 to approx will be used. The period under consideration until 2035 corresponds to that of scenario B 2035 of the scenario framework. 12

17 4.2 Spatial Definition of Clusters According to Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 1 EnWG, the grid connections for offshore wind farms must generally be implemented as collective grid connections. Therefore, the stipulation of the spatial determination of the offshore wind farms shall take place via the determination of so called clusters. Clusters should be understood as a number of offshore wind farms which are spatially connected to one another. This plan identifies a total of 13 clusters which are suitable for collective grid connections. The identification of the clusters is based in particular on the stipulations of the spatial planning as well as the consideration of further existing uses and territorial definitions. Maps of the approved uses and protected areas as well as defined areas can be found in chapter 12 (Annexes). For further explanation, please refer to the comments in chapter BFO-N 2013/ Clusters included until 2030 This plan identifies cluster 1-8 which are suitable for collective grid connections for the period until Clusters included from 2031 to approx This plan identifies cluster 9-13 which are suitable for collective grid connections for the period from 2031 to approx Cartographic Representation of Clusters Included Map 1: Clusters for Offshore Wind Farms in the North Sea EEZ 13

18 4.3 Determination of the Expected Offshore Wind Farm Capacity Calculation Method for Determining the Capacity Calculation Method for determining the capacity cluster 1 to 8 The stated power of clusters 1 to 8 is a prognosis - with the exception of the offshore wind farms that are already in operation or under construction - which is intended to meet the purpose of the securing of areas. In the case of projects which are already in operation or under construction, the power which has been or will be built is taken as a basis. With regard to the approved offshore wind farms the approved power and for planned offshore wind farms the power which offshore wind farm developers have given to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency is taken as a basis. Calculation Method for determining the capacity cluster 9 to 13 For the clusters 9 to 13 a so-called "area approach" is used, since it is unpredictable which wind turbines with which power according to the prior art will be used in the future. For spatial planning, an output of 14 megawatts per square kilometer (MW/km²) is assumed. In summary, the capacity assumed in the individual clusters is outlined as follows: 14

19 4.3.2 Cluster Capacity Planning Horizon 2030 Table 1: Cluster 1-8 with an Assumed Installed Capacity of the Offshore Wind Farms and the Resulting Number of Grid Connection Systems and their Capacity approx. MW / Number of cable Wind farm cluster cluster systems Transmission capacity [MW] Cluster Cluster 2 1, ) 900 Cluster 3 2, Cluster 4 1, Cluster 5 1, Cluster 6 1,200 6) ) Cluster 7 2, Cluster 8 1,300 3) ) Σ 12,150 5) 16 12,306 North Sea territorial sea (for information only) ) Offshore wind farm alpha ventus : Three-phase current connection from transformer plant 2) The conditional grid connection commitment of the offshore wind farm "Demonstrationsprojekt Albatros" of 50 MW was transferred to NOR-6-2 from the Federal Network Agency by decision (reference number BK ) from 28 January The offshore wind farm "Albatros" has a capacity pursuant of 66.8 MW on NOR-6-2 allocated by the Federal Network Agency (reference number BK Z4) of 24 November Within the scope of the planning approval of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of 23 December 2016 the "Demonstrationsprojekt Albatros" has been taken up in "Albatros". 3) The offshore wind farm "Global Tech I" with a capacity of 400 MW is currently connected to cluster 6 (NOR-6-2). The relocation decision of the Federal Network Agency (reference number BK ) of 23 March 2015 provides that the project will be connected to cluster 8 (NOR-8-1). The area approach is used for the remaining area in cluster 8. 4) The offshore wind farm "EnBW Hohe See" has a capacity pursuant of 450 MW on NOR-8-1 allocated by the Federal Network Agency (reference number BK Z5) of 28 January The decision is final. In addition, a capacity pursuant of 50 MW on NOR-6-2 has been allocated to the offshore wind farm by the Federal Network Agency on 24 November 2015 (reference number BK Z3 - Note: has not yet taken final effect against an offshore wind farm developer). The 50 MW allocated by resolution (reference number BK Z3) of 24 November 2015 was transferred to NOR-8-1 by resolution (reference number BK ) of 28 January 2016 of the Federal Network Agency. 5) The sites for offshore wind farms applied for which fall under the scope of the extension and amendment of 15 June 2015 development freeze of 15 June 2012 will not be considered. 6) Cross-cluster connection between clusters 6 and 7 planned. 15

20 4.3.3 Cluster Capacity Planning Horizon from 2031 to approx Table 2: Cluster 9-13 with an Assumed Installed Capacity of the Offshore Wind Farms and the Resulting Number of Grid Connection Systems and their Capacity Estimated capacity of planned wind Area farms per area Area approach Number of cable Transmission Wind farm cluster [km²] [MW/km²] capacity [MW] systems capacity [MW] Cluster 9 ca , Cluster 10 ca , Cluster 11 ca , Cluster 12 ca , Cluster 13 ca , Σ 16, ,100 16

21 5 Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms until 2030 According to Section 17d (1) Clause 1 EnWG, the responsible transmission system operator (TSO) must secure the grid connection of offshore wind farms or, according to the specifications of the O-NEP confirmed by the Federal Network Agency or as of 1 January 2019 according to the specifications of the NEP and the Area Development Plan, construct and operate it. It is the task of this plan to spatially determine the necessary cable routes and sites for the entire grid topology in the North Sea EEZ up to the border of the 12 nm zone within the framework of the existing parameters. The spatial planning is developed on the basis of standardised technical specifications and planning principles. The stipulation of the technical concept for grid connections, which forms the basis for the definition of the individual principles, is central for determining and securing of the areas required for the grid connection of offshore wind farms. Based on this, standardised technical specifications and planning principles will be stipulated individually for the regular components of the grid connections. The necessary spatial requirements will be determined on the basis of the standardised technical specifications and planning principles, cartographically represented and stipulated. 5.1 Technical Concept for Grid Connections Standardised Technical Specifications Summary Use of high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology High voltage direct current system (HVDC): Voltage-sourced converter (VSC) transmission technology, standard transmission voltage +/- 320 kv, standard capacity 900 MW Use of three-phase high voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology for the connection of the converter platforms with transformer platforms of the offshore wind farms High voltage alternating current system (HVAC): Standard transmission voltage 155 kv Use of high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology Grid connections for offshore wind farms will be set up using HVDC technology HVDC system: Voltage-sourced converter technology The HVDC system on the converter platform is implemented as voltage-sourced converter technology direct current transmission HVDC system: Transmission voltage +/- 320 kv The HVDC system on the converter platform is implemented with a standard voltage level of +/- 320 kv HVDC system: Standard capacity 900 MW The HVDC system of the converter platform is implemented with a standard capacity of 900 MW. 17

22 Use of three-phase high voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology for the connection of the converter platforms with transformer platforms of the offshore wind farms Grid connections for the connection of the converter platforms with transformer platforms of the offshore wind farms will be set up using three-phase HVAC technology HVAC system: Standard transmission voltage 155 kv The HVAC three-phase current side of the converter platform is implemented with a standard transmission voltage of 155 kv. 5.2 Sites for Converter Platforms A converter platform is defined as the transmission system operator s platform in the North Sea on which the power arriving from the offshore wind farms substations is bundled, transformed and converted. Pursuant to Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 4 and 7 EnWG, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan contains stipulations regarding sites for converter platforms and standardised technical specifications and planning principles Standardised Technical Specifications Summary High voltage direct current system (HVDC): Voltage-sourced converter (VSC) transmission technology, standard transmission voltage +/- 320 kv, standard capacity 900 MW Construction of two platforms in direct proximity to one another High voltage alternating current system (HVAC): Transmission voltage 155 kv Requirement for type and number of control panels Preparation for cross connections Use of high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology Grid connections for offshore wind farms will be set up using HVDC technology HVDC system: Voltage-sourced converter technology The HVDC system on the converter platform will be implemented as voltage-sourced converter technology direct current transmission HVDC system: Transmission voltage +/- 320 kv The HVDC system on the converter platform will be implemented with a standard voltage level of +/- 320 kv HVDC system: Standard capacity 900 MW The HVDC system of the converter platform will be implemented with a standard capacity of 900 MW Construction of two platforms in direct proximity to one another Converter platforms will be developed according to a so-called mother-daughter concept, meaning that two platforms are constructed in direct proximity to one another and connected via a structural as well as electrical bridge. 18

23 HVAC system: Standard transmission voltage 155 kv The HVAC three-phase current side of the converter platform will be implemented with a standard transmission voltage of 155 kv Requirement for type and number of control panels In addition to the control panels for the connection of the HVDC subsea cable systems, the layout of the converter platforms shall allow for at least six control panels for offshore wind farm connections, two reserve control panels and two control panels for joint connections Preparation for cross connections As converter platforms will be planned and constructed, allowances must already be made for future cross connections between the grid connections for offshore wind farms Planning Principles Summary Accessible by helicopter and ship Space requirement of 100 x 200 m and additional space for manoeuvring Length of HVAC subsea cable system for connecting the transformer plants no longer than 20 km Traffic safety may not be compromised (500 m distance from priority and reservation areas for shipping) Consideration of all existing and approved use, distance 500 m Construction in Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes not permitted, beyond this only with noise reduction measures Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Accessible by helicopter and ship Converter platforms must be planned in such a way that they can be accessed reliably by helicopter and ship Space requirement 100 m x 200 m For a converter platform, a space of 100 x 200 m must be provided. For platforms arranged next to one another, additional space for manoeuvring must be provided Length of HVAC subsea cable system Converter platforms must be planned in such a way that the total length of the HVAC subsea cable route between site of the transformer plant of the offshore wind farm and the site of the converter station does not exceed 20 km, if possible No impairment of traffic Traffic safety may not be impaired by the construction and operation of the converter platforms Consideration of all existing and approved uses All existing and approved pipelines and subsea cables as well as those that are being stipulated in this plan, offshore wind farms and other superstructures have to be taken into consideration by keeping a regular distance of 500 m. 19

24 Construction in Natura2000 areas not permitted; Construction outside protected biotopes The construction of converter platforms in Natura2000 areas is not permitted. Adverse effects on the marine environment, in particular on the natural functions and their ecosystematic importance for the marine environment should be avoided during construction and operation of the platform. Areas known as protected biotope types according to Section 30 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures have to be avoided as far as possible. Possible effects of the converter platforms on the marine environment should be investigated and demonstrated in a project-related monitoring concept according to the specifications of the approval authority Noise reduction If converter platforms are installed with pile foundations, the use of an effective sound reduction system is to be provided during the pile driving of the foundations. The noise reduction system must be integrated into the design of the foundation construction early on in proceedings Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the site selection. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or construction of the converter platforms, the appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the site selection. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or construction of the converter platforms, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove After the converter platforms are no longer being used, they must be removed Spatial Stipulations 20

25 5.2.4 Cartographic Representation Map 2: Sites for Converter Platforms in Offshore Wind Farm Cluster Corridors for Cable Routes for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems A HVDC subsea cable system in terms of this plan should be understood as a subsea cable system which conducts the energy produced in the offshore wind energy installation from the converter platform to gates I to IV on the border to the EEZ and 12 nm zone. According to the state of the art a HVDC subsea cable system consists of two conductors, a supply conductor and a return conductor which are installed in a bundled formation together with a fibre-optic cable for communication Standardised Technical Specifications Summary VSC transmission technology Standard transmission voltage +/- 320 kv Standard capacity 900 MW Use of HVDC technology Grid connections for offshore wind farms will be set up using HVDC technology HVDC system: Voltage-sourced converter technology HVDC subsea cable systems will be implemented as self-guided high voltage direct current transmission. 21

26 HVDC system: Transmission voltage +/- 320 kv High voltage direct current subsea cable systems will be implemented with a standard transmission voltage of +/- 320 kv HVDC system: Standard capacity 900 MW High voltage direct current subsea cable systems will be implemented with a standard capacity of 900 MW Planning Principles The Maritime Spatial Plan for the German North Sea EEZ has defined the targets and principles of the Spatial Planning with regards to grid connections under These concern the laying, operation and removal of subsea cables. The following planning principles refer to the respective statements of the Maritime Spatial Plan. The target of consideration of existing uses/ rights of use will be implemented through the stipulations and the following planning principles. Further principles will be implemented as far as is possible. Summary Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Routing through gates I to IV Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping as right-angled as possible Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m Coverage 1.5m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Bundling Concerning HVDC subsea cables routing, the maximum degree of bundling possible in terms of parallel routing should be implemented as well as routing parallel existing structures Distances in case of parallel routing When HVDC subsea cable systems are routed parallel, a distance of 100 m between the individual systems is required. After every second cable system, a distance of 200 m should be met Routing through gates On the border of the EEZ and the 12 nm zone HVDC subsea cable systems must, be routed through gates I to IV. 22

27 Crossings of priority and reservation areas for shipping DC subsea cable systems must cross the priority and reservation areas stipulated for shipping in the North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan by the shortest route possible if they cannot be routed parallel existing structures Consideration of existing and approved uses When the routing of HVDC subsea cable systems is selected, consideration should be given to existing and approved uses and rights of use as well as to the concerns of shipping and fisheries. There must be appropriate consideration for already existing piping and subsea cables when the routing for new subsea cable systems is selected; a distance of 500 m must be observed Crossings Crossings of HVDC subsea cable systems should be avoided as far as possible between one another and with other existing pipelines and existing subsea cables or those which have been stipulated within the framework of this plan. If crossings cannot be avoided, they must be implemented as right-angled as possible according to the respective state of the technology. If crossing other infrastructure cannot be implemented at a right angle, the crossing angle should not fall short of 45, and a distance of at least 250 m should be provided between the turning points which become necessary Covering In determining the permanently guaranteeing coverage of HVDC subsea cable systems, the needs of shipping and fisheries, protection of the marine environment and system security should be considered particular. For this purpose, a cover burial depth of 1.5 m must be established during installation Installation outside of Natura2000 areas and protected biotopes When the HVDC cable systems are installed, possible impairments to the marine environment should be minimised. For that to happen, the HVDC cable systems should be installed outside of Natura2000 areas. Known areas of protected biotope types according to Section 30 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures have to be avoided as far as possible. The specifications in Section 45 a Water Management Act must be observed; best environmental practice pursuant to the OSPAR Convention and the applicable state of technology should be considered and specified in the individual licensing procedure Heating of Sediment When installing HVDC subsea cable systems potential adverse effects on the marine environment through a cable-induced heating of sediment should be largely reduced. As precautionary nature conservation value the so-called "K-2 criterion" must be observed, which sets a maximum acceptable temperature increase of the sediment by 2 kelvin in 20 cm sediment depth Environmentally-friendly installation procedures In order to protect the marine environment, burial procedures for HVDC subsea cable systems should be selected being as environmentally-friendly as possible Coordinated timing of the overall installation works In order to avoid or reduce cumulative effects, taking into account the project-specific conditions, the HVDC subsea cable system burial and trenching campaigns should be coordinated. 23

28 Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the cable route selection. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or installation of HVDC subsea cable systems, the appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the selection of the routes. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or the laying of the HVDC subsea cable systems, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove DC subsea cable systems must be removed after they are no longer used. If the removal causes greater adverse effects than leaving them there, the removal must be completely or partly abandoned unless it is necessary for reasons of traffic safety and ease. If they are left there, suitable monitoring measures should be arranged regarding possible future risks Spatial Stipulations Gates Corridors for cable routes for HVDC subsea cable systems Cartographic Representation Map 3: Corridors for Cable Routes for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems Cluster

29 5.4 Corridors for Cable Routes for HVAC Subsea Cable Systems A three-phase high voltage alternating current (HVAC) subsea cable system should be understood as a subsea cable system which connects the transformer substation platform that bundles the electricity produced in one offshore wind farm to the converter platform. HVAC subsea cable systems consist of three conductors bundled with a fibre-optic cable for communication realized in one cable Standardised Technical Specifications Summary Use of three-phase high voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology Standard transmission voltage 155 kv Use of three-phase HVAC technology Grid connections for the connection of the converter platforms with transformer platforms of the offshore wind farms will be set up using three-phase HVAC technology HVAC system: Standard transmission voltage 155 kv HVAC subsea cable systems are implemented with a standard transmission voltage of 155 kv Planning Principles The Maritime Spatial Plan for the German North Sea EEZ has defined the targets and principles of the Spatial Planning with regards to grid connections under These concern the laying, operation and removal of subsea cables. The following planning principles refer to the respective statements of the Maritime Spatial Plan. The target of consideration of existing uses/ rights of use will be implemented through the stipulations and the following planning principles. Further principles will be implemented as far as is possible. Summary Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, offshore wind farms 350 m distance, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m Restriction of HVAC subsea cable system length Requirement to connect offshore wind farms to the converter provided for the cluster Coverage 1.5m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove 25

30 Bundling Concerning HVAC subsea cables routing, the maximum degree of bundling possible in terms of parallel routing should be implemented as well as routing parallel existing structures Distances in case of parallel routing When HVAC subsea cable systems are routed parallel, a distance of 100 m between the individual systems is required. After every second cable system, a distance of 200 m should be met Consideration of existing and approved uses When the routing of HVAC subsea cable systems is selected, consideration should be given to existing and approved uses and rights of use as well as to the concerns of shipping and fisheries. There must be appropriate consideration for already existing piping and subsea cables when the routing for new subsea cable systems is selected; a distance of 500 m must be observed Crossings Crossings of HVAC subsea cable systems should be avoided as far as possible between one another and with other existing pipelines and existing subsea cables or those which have been stipulated within the framework of this plan. If crossings cannot be avoided, they must be implemented as right-angled as possible according to the respective state of the technology. If crossing other infrastructure cannot be implemented at a right angle, the crossing angle should not fall short of 45, and a distance of at least 250 m should be provided between the turning points which become necessary Restriction of HVAC subsea cable system length The cable length between the converter platform and the transformer substation platform should not be less than 20 km, if possible Requirement to connect offshore wind farms to the converter provided for the cluster As a matter of priority, offshore wind farms in the same cluster should be connected with the HVAC subsea cable system which connects the converter platform with the transformer substation platform of the offshore wind farm Covering In determining the permanently guaranteeing coverage of HVAC subsea cable systems, the needs of shipping and fisheries, protection of the marine environment and system security should be considered particular. For this purpose, a cover burial depth of 1.5 m must be established during installation Installation outside of Natura2000 areas and protected biotopes When the HVAC cable systems are installed, possible impairments to the marine environment should be minimised. For that to happen, the HVAC cable systems should be installed outside of Natura2000 areas. Known areas of protected biotope types according to Section 30 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures have to be avoided as far as possible. The specifications in Section 45 a Water Management Act must be observed; best environmental practice pursuant to the OSPAR Convention and the applicable state of technology should be considered and specified in the individual licensing procedure. 26

31 Heating of Sediment When installing HVAC subsea cable systems potential adverse effects on the marine environment through a cable-induced heating of sediment should be largely reduced. As precautionary nature conservation value the so-called "K-2 criterion" must be observed, which sets a maximum acceptable temperature increase of the sediment by 2 kelvin in 20 cm sediment depth Environmentally-friendly installation procedures In order to protect the marine environment, burial procedures for HVAC subsea cable systems should be selected being as environmentally-friendly as possible Coordinated timing of the overall installation works In order to avoid or reduce cumulative effects, taking into account the project-specific conditions, the HVAC subsea cable system burial and trenching campaigns should be coordinated Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the cable route selection. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or installation of HVAC subsea cable systems, the appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the selection of the routes. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or the laying of the HVAC subsea cable systems, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove AC subsea cable systems must be removed after they are no longer used. If the removal causes greater adverse effects than leaving them there, the removal must be completely or partly abandoned unless it is necessary for reasons of traffic safety and ease. If they are left there, suitable monitoring measures should be arranged regarding possible future risks Spatial Stipulations Cartographic Representation With regard to the cartographic representation of the HVAC subsea cable systems for connecting the converter platforms to the transformer substation platforms of offshore wind farms, please refer to the chart in chapter There, the cluster-internal and cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are presented together. 27

32 5.5 Corridors for Cable Routes for Cross-Cluster HVAC Subsea Cable Systems A cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable system should be understood as a HVAC subsea cable system which connects the transformer substation platform that bundles the electricity produced in one offshore wind farm to the converter platform. The transformer substation platform and the converter platform are not located in the same cluster. HVAC subsea cable systems consist of three conductors bundled with a fibre-optic cable for communication realized in one cable Standardised Technical Specifications Summary Use of three-phase high voltage alternating current (HVAC) technology Standard transmission voltage 155 kv Use of three-phase HVAC technology Grid connections for the connection of the converter platforms with transformer platforms of the offshore wind farms will be set up using HVAC technology HVAC system: Standard transmission voltage 155 kv HVAC subsea cable systems are implemented with a standard transmission voltage of 155 kv Planning Principles The Maritime Spatial Plan for the German North Sea EEZ has defined the targets and principles of the Spatial Planning with regards to grid connections under These concern the laying, operation and removal of subsea cables. The following planning principles refer to the respective statements of the Maritime Spatial Plan. The target of consideration of existing uses/ rights of use will be implemented through the stipulations and the following planning principles. Further principles will be implemented as far as is possible. Summary No need in clusters with exhausted capacity No need in clusters with sufficient free capacity Technical restrictions, if any Avoiding a chain reaction Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, offshore wind farms 350 m distance, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of crossings of priority and reservation areas for shipping Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m Restriction of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable system length Coverage 1.5m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes 28

33 Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove No need in clusters with exhausted capacity Cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are not required in clusters with exhausted capacity. In clusters in which all offshore wind farms have a conditional grid connection commitment pursuant to Section 118 (12) EnWG, a capacity pursuant to section 17d (3) EnWG or a capacity pursuant Section 34 WindSeeG and the offshore wind farm grid connections are efficiently utilized, cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are not necessary because of the exhausted capacity No need in clusters with sufficient free capacity If a cluster has a sufficient free capacity of an existing offshore wind farm grid connection, or if an offshore wind farm grid connection for the cluster has been confirmed in the confirmation of the Offshore Development Plan 2025, cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are not required Technical restrictions, if any Cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are only possible if technical restrictions do not prevent them Avoiding a chain reaction Pursuant to Section 17b (3) EnWG, the Offshore Network Development Plan stipulates the extent to which the connection of existing projects within the meaning of Section 26 (2) of the WindSeeG can exceptionally take place via another cluster defined in Spatial Offshore Grid Plan pursuant to Article 17d (3) EnWG. According to section 17d (3) EnWG, a cross-cluster connection can take place in exceptional cases as long as this is explicitly provided for in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and in the Offshore Network Development Plan and this is necessary for an orderly and efficient utilization and exploitation of the offshore grid connections. Therefore cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are only possible if no further crosscluster HVAC subsea cable system result from a subsea cable system, so-called chain reaction Bundling Concerning cross-cluster HVAC subsea cables routing, the maximum degree of bundling possible in terms of parallel routing should be implemented as well as routing parallel existing structures Distances in case of parallel routing When cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems are routed parallel, a distance of 100 m between the individual systems is required. After every second cable system, a distance of 200 m should be met Consideration of existing and approved uses When the routing of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems is selected, consideration should be given to existing and approved uses and rights of use as well as to the concerns of 29

34 shipping and fisheries. There must be appropriate consideration for already existing piping and subsea cables when the routing for new subsea cable systems is selected; a distance of 500 m must be observed Avoiding of crossings of priority and reservation areas for shipping Crossings of priority and reservation areas for shipping should be avoided in order to minimize impairment for shipping Crossings Crossings of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems should be avoided as far as possible between one another and with other existing pipelines and existing subsea cables or those which have been stipulated within the framework of this plan. If crossings cannot be avoided, they must be implemented as right-angled as possible according to the respective state of the technology. If crossing other infrastructure cannot be implemented at a right angle, the crossing angle should not fall short of 45, and a distance of at least 250 m should be provided between the turning points which become necessary Restriction of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable system length The cable length between the converter platform and the transformer substation platform should not be less than 20 km, if possible Covering In determining the permanently guaranteeing coverage of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems, the needs of shipping and fisheries, protection of the marine environment and system security should be considered particular. For this purpose, a cover burial depth of 1.5 m must be established during installation Installation outside of Natura2000 areas and protected biotopes When the cross-cluster HVAC cable systems are installed, possible impairments to the marine environment should be minimised. For that to happen, the cross-cluster HVAC cable systems should be installed outside of Natura2000 areas. Known areas of protected biotope types according to Section 30 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures have to be avoided as far as possible. The specifications in Section 45 a Water Management Act must be observed; best environmental practice pursuant to the OSPAR Convention and the applicable state of technology should be considered and specified in the individual licensing procedure Heating of Sediment When installing cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems potential adverse effects on the marine environment through a cable-induced heating of sediment should be largely reduced. As precautionary nature conservation value the so-called "K-2 criterion" must be observed, which sets a maximum acceptable temperature increase of the sediment by 2 kelvin in 20 cm sediment depth Environmentally-friendly installation procedures In order to protect the marine environment, burial procedures for cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems should be selected being as environmentally-friendly as possible Coordinated timing of the overall installation works In order to avoid or reduce cumulative effects, taking into account the project-specific conditions, the cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable system burial and trenching campaigns should be coordinated. 30

35 Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the cable route selection. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or installation of cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems, the appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the selection of the routes. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or the laying of the cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove Cross-cluster HVAC subsea cable systems must be removed after they are no longer used. If the removal causes greater adverse effects than leaving them there, the removal must be completely or partly abandoned unless it is necessary for reasons of traffic safety and ease. If they are left there, suitable monitoring measures should be arranged regarding possible future risks Spatial Stipulations Cartographic Representation Map 4: Areas for HVAC Subsea Cable Systems and Cross-Cluster HVAC Subsea Cable Systems Cluster

36 5.6 Cartographic Representation of Grid Connections until 2030 Map 5: Summarising Depiction of Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms until

37 6 Corridors for Crossborder Subsea Cable Systems (Interconnectors) Pursuant to Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 5 EnWG, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan contains stipulations regarding cable routes or corridors for cable routes for crossborder subsea cable systems (interconnectors) and standardised technical specifications and planning principles. Interconnectors in terms of this plan should be understood as subsea cable systems which run through at least two countries bordering on the North Sea. This plan should ensure that cable routes for possible interconnectors are spatially secured in order to ensure that they are spatially fitted into a coordinated overall system, in particular with regard to the grid connection systems for offshore wind farms. Consequently, the in operation interconntector NorNed, the approved interconnectors NordLink and COBRAcable as well as the applications for interconnectors currently pending at the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency are being outlined in this plan. This means that applications for Viking Link und NorGer are included in a slightly adapted way in accordance with the stipulated technical rules and planning principles. Beyond the projects mentioned, this plan only stipulates possible gates for crossborder subsea cable systems on the outer border of the EEZ as possible routes for future interconnectors are not yet known with regard to number and specific routing according to the most recent state and are difficult to anticipate against the background of the development of the European network development. According to Article 8 (3 (b)) of Regulation (EC) No. 714/2009, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) adopt a non-binding Communitywide ten-year network development plan ( Community-wide network development plan ) including a European generation adequacy outlook, every two years. In this context, the European transmission system operators publish a so called Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP, most recently in 2016). This plan contains transregional and international expansion measures which are significant for crossborder European energy transmission. The TYNDP 2016 contains a number of projects for the North Sea region. However, these projects are still in an early planning stage and have not been assigned to any specific spatial routes. The project COBRA-2 is mentioned in the appendix of the TYNDP. This project is intended to link Denmark and the Netherlands, but a specific cable route isn t already known. Future, additionally planned projects whose specific cable routes are not yet known may be discussed and specified within the framework of the consultations of the update to the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan in accordance with the current developments. In order to create the spatial conditions for a transnational North Sea grid, gates through which future interconnectors are to be routed when entering the German EEZ will be stipulated over and above the existing specific planning, complying with the following standardised technical specifications and planning principles. 6.1 Standardised Technical Specifications Summary Implementation as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable system with bundled supply and return conductor Consideration of and incorporation in grid planning 33

38 6.1.1 Implementation as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable system Interconnectors are usually implemented as HVDC cable systems with a supply conductor and return conductor as a bundled cable system Consideration of overall system The planning interconnectors should take into consideration the stipulations of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan and be fitted into the overall system. If technically possible and efficient, interconnectors should also be included in the grid planning for the connection of offshore wind energy. This has to be outlined in the permitting procedure for crossborder subsea cable systems, as to how they may be included in the grid planning without compromising the expansion goals for offshore wind energy. From this point of view, a check on an individual basis whether and to which extent crossborder subsea cable systems can connect offshore wind farms is necessary. Therefore, the HVDC technology used has to be evaluated in terms of its compatibility with the overall grid development and with respect to other advantages involved (e.g. a higher transmission capacity). It is envisaged to further support and provide for the development and construction of an international offshore grid including crossborder subsea cable systems and the grid connections for offshore wind energy within the updates of this plan. However, there are still technical and also regulatory questions to be solved for the integration of the crossborder cables into a fully meshed offshore grid. 6.2 Planning Principles Summary Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Routing through gates Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping as right-angled as possible Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m Coverage 1.5m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Bundling Concerning interconnectors routing, the maximum degree of bundling possible in terms of parallel routing should be implemented as well as routing parallel existing structures Routing through gates Interconnectors must be routed through the gates specified on the outside border of the German EEZ and at the border of the EEZ and the 12 nm zone. 34

39 6.2.3 Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping For the priority and reservation areas stipulated for shipping in the North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan, the interconnectors have to cross via the shortest possible route as far as parallel routing to existing structures is not possible Consideration of existing and approved uses When the routing of interconnectors is selected, consideration should be given to existing and approved uses and rights of use as well as to the concerns of shipping and fisheries. There must be appropriate consideration for already existing pipelines and subsea cables when the routing for new interconnectors is selected; a distance of 500 m must be observed Crossings Crossings of between interconnectors should be avoided as far as possible between one another and with other existing pipelines and existing subsea cables or those which are being stipulated within the framework of this plan. If crossings cannot be avoided, they must be implemented as right-angled as possible according to the respective state of the technology. If crossing other infrastructure cannot be implemented at a right angle, the crossing angle should not fall short of 45 and a distance of at least 250 m should be provided between the turning points which become necessary Covering In determining the permanently guaranteeing coverage of interconnectors, the needs of shipping and fisheries, protection of the marine environment and system security should be considered particular. For this purpose, a cover burial depth of 1.5 m must be established during installation Installation outside of Natura2000 areas and protected biotopes When the interconnectors are installed, possible impairments to the marine environment should be minimised. For that to happen, the interconnectors should be installed outside of the Natura2000 areas. Known areas of protected biotope types according to Section 30 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures must be avoided as far as possible. The specifications in Section 45a Water Management Act must be observed; best environmental practice pursuant to the OSPAR Convention and the applicable state of technology should be considered and specified in the individual procedure Heating of Sediment When installing interconnectors potential adverse effects on the marine environment through a cable-induced heating of sediment should be largely reduced. As precautionary nature conservation value the so-called "K-2 criterion" must be observed, which sets a maximum acceptable temperature increase of the sediment by 2 kelvin in 20 cm sediment depth Environmentally-friendly installation procedure In order to protect the marine environment, an installation procedure for the interconnectors which is as environmentally-friendly as possible should be selected Coordinated timing of the overall installation works In order to avoid or reduce cumulative effects, taking into account the project-specific conditions, the cables burial and trenching campaigns should be coordinated. 35

40 Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the selection of cable routes. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or installation of interconnectors, the appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the routing. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or construction of the interconnectors, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove Interconnectors must be removed after they are no longer used. If the removal causes greater adverse effects than leaving them there, the removal must be completely or partly abandoned unless it is necessary for reasons of traffic safety and ease. If they are left there, suitable monitoring measures should be arranged regarding possible future risks. 6.3 Spatial Stipulations Gates According to the allocation of legal competence of 17a para 1 sentence 1 of the Energy Act, the spatial requirements of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan extend to the German EEZ. There is consequently no over the limit of the German EEZ beyond defining the routes. The planned routes in the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan must be able to be continued sense. However, there are no plans in the territorial sea and the neighbouring countries that go beyond the cross-border subsea cable systems applied so far. The gates are served as places where cross-border subsea cable systems crossing the border between the German EEZ and the EEZ of the neighbouring country or the territorial sea. For the area of the North Sea EEZ this concerns Denmark, Great Britain and Netherlands, and towards the territorial sea Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The gates have been provided that way that they affect existing uses as little as possible. The bases for determination of the gates were the planning principles for cables, as far as no applications for cross-border systems existed. The Spatial Offshore Grid Plan takes into account both the known plans of cross-border subsea cable systems as well as possible future projects. For the avoidance of a planning torso a more closely aligns the rules established in this plan gates are provided with the relevant authorities. The for the connection lines specified gates I till IV (see also planning principle ) are used also by the cross-border subsea cable systems. For interconnectors additional gates are defined to the territorial sea as well as on the outer border of the German EEZ with neighboring states. The other gates V to XVII proposed for the outer edge of the EEZ will serve to route possible interconnectors, which have not yet been named as specific cable routings, in or through the German EEZ bundled and in parallel to existing or planned structures. A harmonization of these gates V to XVII for interconnectors with the neighboring countries is to be carried out within the framework of the respective spatial planning plans or the respective approval procedures Corridors for Cable Routes for Interconnectors In this plan, the crossborder subsea cable system NorNed, currently in operation, the two approved crossborder subsea cable systems NordLink and COBRAcable, and the two planned crossborder subsea cable systems NorGer and Viking Link are stipulated. A 36

41 decision on the route as well as alternatives to be considered for the planned projects is reserved for the individual approval procedure. The crossborder subsea cable system NorGer which has been applied for is routed from gate III to the Habitats Directive site Sylter Außenriff with a distance of 500 m, parallel to Europipe 2. There, it deviates northwest and runs parallel to the Habitats Directive site Sylter Außenriff up to the crossborder subsea cable system NorNed, with which it runs in a parallel formation northwards to gate VIII. The approved crossborder subsea cable system NordLink is routed from gate IV in a northerly direction through the whole Habitat Directives area Sylter Außenriff to gate VI. The approved COBRAcable runs alongside the offshore wind farm grid connections of the gate I on the west side parallel to cluster 2. From there, the subsea cable system runs to Europipe 1, parallel to the direct current subsea cable system from Cluster 8. The cable route lies within shipping priority area 3. After crossing the pipelines Norpipe and Europipe 1, COBRAcable runs parallel to shipping route 5 and changes direction at the crossing of shipping routes 4 and 5 towards the northwest. Further on, the crossborder subsea cable system crosses NorGer and Europipe 2 as well as active sand and gravel extraction sites granted in the EEZ and the Habitats Directive site Sylter Außenriff. The system runs by the border to Danish waters through gate V. In addition to "COBRAcable", a route parallel to the shipping route 10 is secured. This route would be considered for further interconnectors from the Netherlands to Denmark or Norway. The planned interconnector "Viking Link" runs from Denmark to the UK. Here the EEZ is crossed between the gates X and XIII, which leads to unavoidable crossings of the pipelines "Europipe 1" and "Norpipe". 6.4 Cartographic Representation Map 6: Representation of Interconnectors 37

42 7 Corridors for Cable Routes for Cross Connections Pursuant to Section 17a (1) Clause 2 No. 6 EnWG, the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan should also include stipulations regarding cross connections between routes or corridors for cable routes to or for possible connections of offshore facilities, cable routes for grid connections and interconnectors, sites for converter platforms or transformer substation platforms as well as standardised technical specifications and planning principles. Cross connections are subsea cable systems which can connect the grid infrastructure, i.e. the converter platforms and the HVDC subsea cable systems and therefore the offshore wind farms to one another and which contribute to guaranteeing system security, increase feeding-in security using (partial) redundancy in order to reduce breakdown damage and increase system security and are compatible with efficient grid expansion. The grid plan sets out the spatial requirements for these cross connections. The decision as to whether and when a cross connection will be implemented is reserved in the context of the evidence that network operators mitigation of damages concepts confirmed by the Federal Network Agency. 7.1 Standardised Technical Specifications Summary Use of HVAC technology Standard transmission voltage 155 kv Aiming at HVDC connections Use of HVAC technology Cross connections between converter platforms for the grid connection of offshore wind farms are implemented in HVAC technology for distances of up to 20 km Standard transmission voltage 155 kv The HVAC systems for cross connections will be implemented with a standard transmission voltage of 155 kv Aiming at HVDC connections The realization of HVDC subsea cable systems are aimed at. 7.2 Planning Principles Summary Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping as right-angled as possible Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, offshore wind farms 350 m distance, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m AC subsea cable systems no longer than 20 km Coverage 1,5 m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes as possible Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) 38

43 Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Bundling Concerning cross connections the maximum degree of bundling possible in terms of parallel routing should be implemented as well as routing parallel to existing structures Distances in case of parallel routing When subsea cable systems for cross connections are routed parallel, a distance of 100 m between the individual systems is required. After every second cable system, a distance of 200 m should be met Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping For the priority and reservation areas stipulated for shipping in the North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan, the cross connections must cross via the shortest possible route as far as parallel routing to existing physical structures is not possible Consideration of existing and approved uses When the routing of cross connections is selected, consideration should be given to existing and approved uses and rights of use as well as to the concerns of shipping and fisheries. There must be appropriate consideration for already existing pipelines and subsea cables when the routing for new subsea cable systems is selected; a distance of 500 m must be observed Crossings Crossings of cross connections should be avoided as far as possible between one another and with other existing pipelines and subsea cables or those which are being stipulated within the framework of this plan. If crossings cannot be avoided, they must be implemented as right-angled as possible according to the respective state of the technology. In the event that the unavoidable structure for crossing cables cannot be implemented at a right angle, the crossing angle should not fall short of 45 and a distance of at least 250 m should be provided between the turning points which become necessary Length of HVAC subsea cable system Cross connections implemented as HVAC subsea cable systems which connect the grid connections for offshore wind farms via the converter platforms should not exceed a length of 20 km Covering In determining the permanently guaranteeing coverage of cross connections, the needs of shipping and fisheries, protection of the marine environment and system security should be considered particular. For this purpose, a cover burial depth of 1.5 m must be established during installation Installation outside of Natura2000 areas and protected biotopes When cross connections are installed, possible impairments to the marine environment should be minimised. For that to happen, the cross connections should be installed outside of the Natura2000 areas. Known areas of protected biotope types according to Section 30 39

44 Federal Nature Conservation Act or corresponding structures must be avoided as far as possible. The specifications in Section 45 a Water Management Act must be observed; best environmental practice pursuant to the OSPAR Convention and the applicable state of technology should be considered and specified in the individual procedure Heating of Sediment When installing cross connections potential adverse effects on the marine environment through a cable-induced heating of sediment should be largely reduced. As precautionary nature conservation value the so-called "K-2 criterion" must be observed, which sets a maximum acceptable temperature increase of the sediment by 2 kelvin in 20 cm sediment depth Environmentally-friendly installation procedure In order to protect the marine environment, an installation procedure for installing the cross connections which is as environmentally-friendly as possible should be selected Coordinated timing of the overall installation works In order to avoid or reduce cumulative effects, taking into account the project-specific conditions, the cable burial and trenching campaigns should be coordinated Consideration of cultural assets Known sites where cultural assets have been discovered must be taken into consideration during the selection of cable routes. If unknown cultural assets located on the seabed should be found during the planning or installation of cross connections, then appropriate measures to secure the cultural assets must be taken Consideration of sites where munitions have been discovered Known sites where munitions have been found must be avoided during the routing. If unknown munitions-contaminated sites should be found during the planning or construction of the cross connections, then appropriate protective measures must be taken Obligation to remove Cross connections must be removed after they are no longer used. If the removal causes greater adverse effects than leaving them there, the removal must be completely or partly abandoned unless it is necessary for reasons of traffic security and ease. If they are left there, suitable monitoring measures should be arranged regarding possible future risks. 40

45 7.3 Spatial Stipulations 7.4 Cartographic Representation Map 7: Representation of Cross Connections 41

46 8 Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms and Cross Connections from 2031 to about 2035 In terms of this plan grid connections for offshore wind farms from 2031 are should be understood as a converter platform in combination with HVDC subsea cable system which conducts the energy produced in the offshore wind energy installation from the converter platform to gates I to IV on the border to the EEZ and 12 nm zone. Cross connections are subsea cable systems which can connect the grid infrastructure, i.e. the converter platforms and the HVDC subsea cable systems and therefore the offshore wind farms to one another and which contribute to guaranteeing system security, increase feeding-in security using (partial) redundancy in order to reduce breakdown damage and increase system security and are compatible with efficient grid expansion. The grid plan sets out the spatial requirements for these cross connections. As already mentioned in chapter 7 the decision as to whether and when a cross connection will be implemented is reserved in the context of the evidence that network operators mitigation of damages concepts confirmed by the Federal Network Agency. This chapter stipulated specifications for HVDC subsea cable systems and cross connections for the period from 2031 to approx Reference is made to the planning horizon to chapter In addition, reference is made to the determined cluster capacity and transmission capacity for the period from 2031 onwards in chapter Due to the future period, it may be possible that, for the period from 2031 onwards, other technical concepts could possibly be applied. In this context it should be pointed out that the presentation of standardized technical specifications and planning principles takes place against the background of the purpose of the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan, namely spatial planning. Therefore, the approach of applying the standardized technical specifications and planning principles for converter platforms, HVDC subsea cable systems as well as cross connections of the period up to the end of 2030 also for the period from 2031 to approx appears to be appropriate to be able to react appropriately to future developments such as technical progress. There is the possibility that depending on the development, deviating land use may occur. This does not imply a statement on economic efficiency, efficiency or appropriateness. For the preparation of the Area Development Plan, the data are not binding. 8.1 Standardised Technical Specifications Please refer to the standardized technical specifications of chapters 5.2.1, and 7.1. The standardized technical specifications of these chapters are listed below. Summary Standardised Technical Specifications for Converter Platforms (see chapter 5.2.1) High voltage direct current system (HVDC): Voltage-sourced converter (VSC) transmission technology, standard transmission voltage +/- 320 kv, standard capacity 900 MW Construction of two platforms in direct proximity to one another Three-phase high voltage alternating current system (HVAC): Transmission voltage 155 kv Requirement for type and number of control panels Preparation for cross connections 42

47 Summary Standardised Technical Specifications for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems (see chapter 5.3.1) VSC transmission technology Standard transmission voltage +/- 320 kv Standard capacity 900 MW Summary Standardised Technical Specifications for Cross Connections (see chapter 7.1) Use of HVAC technology Standard transmission voltage 155 kv Aiming at HVDC connections 8.2 Planning Principles Please refer to the planning principles of chapters 5.2.2, and 7.2. The planning principles of these chapters are listed below. Summary Planning Principles for Converter Platforms (see chapter 5.2.2) Accessible by helicopter and ship Space requirement of 100 x 200 m and additional space for manoeuvring Length of HVAC subsea cable system for connecting the transformer plants no longer than 20 km Traffic safety may not be compromised (500 m distance from priority and reservation areas for shipping) Consideration of all existing and approved use, distance 500 m Construction in Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes not permitted, beyond this only with noise reduction measures Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Summary Planning Principles for HVDC Subsea Cable Systems (see chapter 5.3.2) Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Routing through gates I to IV Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping as right-angled as possible Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as 43

48 right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m Coverage 1.5m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove Summary Planning Principles for Cross Connections (see chapter 7.2) Maximum bundling possible by parallel routing Distances in case of parallel routing: 100 m; 200 m after every second cable system Crossing of priority and reservation areas for shipping as right-angled as possible Consideration of all existing and approved uses (construction with distance of 500 m, offshore wind farms 350 m distance, shipping routes 300 m distance) Avoiding of cable crossings and, if they are absolutely necessary, then crossing as right-angled as possible; distance between turning points 250 m AC subsea cable systems no longer than 20 km Coverage 1,5 m Routing as far outside of the Natura2000 areas/protected biotopes as possible Avoiding heating of sediment (maximal 2 K) Environmentally-friendly installation procedure Coordinated timing of the overall installation works Consideration of cultural assets and sites where munitions have been discovered Obligation to remove 8.3 Spatial Stipulations Converter Platforms For the clusters 9-13, no concrete sites for converter platforms are defined, since these will be developed under the regime of the Area Development Plan. The number of possible converters is given by the area approach (see chapter 4.3.3). The erection of these converter platforms is not planned until Gates From 2031 three HVDC subsea cables systems are planned for the gate II, 13 HVDC subsea cables systems for the gate III and four for the gate IV HVDC Subsea Cable Systems For the clusters 9-13, no exact route are currently defined as these are specified only in detail within the framework of the Area Development Plan. 20 HVDC subsea cables systems are presumably required for these clusters. From today's perspective, a maximum of three 44

49 systems can be routed to the gate II. Since the HVDC subsea cables systems of the cluster 13 were previously planned in the direction of Schleswig-Holstein, a further four systems enter into the gate IV. For the remaining 13 systems, an accessibility option is to be found across the gate III or in the next years alternative gates to Lower Saxony or Schleswig- Holstein set. Since the order of the development of these clusters will be the task of the Area Development Plan, statements on possible crossings are not possible at the present time Cross Connections Within the framework of this plan, cross connections between the clusters 9 13 as well as to the clusters 4, 5, 6 and 8, are planned within the areas for subsea cable systems. 8.4 Cartographic Representation Map 8: Representation of Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms and Cross Connections from

50 Map 9: Summary of the Grid Connections for Offshore Wind Farms and Cross Connections 46

51 9 Fundamental Changes and Additions to the Spatial Offshore Grid Plan 2013/2014 [Is carried out after consultation] 10 Consideration [Is carried out after consultation] 11 Provisional Summary Environmental Statement and Measures Envisaged Concerning Monitoring the Significant Environmental Impacts [Is carried out after consultation] 11.1 Provisional Summary Environmental Statement in Accordance with Section 14l Environmental Impact Assessment Act [Is carried out after consultation] 11.2 Monitoring Programmes in Accordance with Section 14m Environmental Impact Assessment Act [Is carried out after consultation] 47

52 12 Annex: Maps Map 10: North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan Shipping Routes Map 11: Subsea Cable Systems, Pipelines, Traffic Separation Scheme Description 48

53 Map 12: Offshore Wind Farms and Converter Platforms Descriptions Map 13: Main Concentration Area for Divers, Descriptions of Nature Conservation Sites and Priority Areas for Wind Energy from the North Sea EEZ Maritime Spatial Plan 49

54 Draft Spatial Offshore Grid Plan North Sea 2016 / 'E 5 0'E 6 0'E 7 0'E 8 0'E 9 0'E XII XI IX VIII X VII D e n m a r k 55 0'N XIII $+") VI 5 V 55 0'N 'N Cluster for Offshore Wind Farms Cluster 9-13 for Offshore Wind Farms $+ Approved Site for Converter Platform ") Planned Site for Converter Platform Site for Transformer Substation Platform 4 Number of Converter Platforms Cluster 9-13 Approved DC Subsea Cable Planned DC Subsea Cable Approved AC Subsea Cable Planned AC Subsea Cable Cross-Cluster AC Subsea Cable Approved Interconnector Planned Interconnector Planned Cross-Connection Areas for Subsea Cables Gates Boundaries Territorial Waters / 12 nm Zone Continental Shelf / EEZ Geodetic Datum: WGS 84 Map Projection: Mercator (54 N) BSH / M5 - June 2017 XVI XV XVI $+$+ XVII 3 10 ") N e t h e r l a n d s 7 1 ")") 8 $+ $+ 2 I 3 $+")") II 4 $+ III Norden Wilhelmshaven IV Cuxhaven Büsum Bremerhaven 54 0'N 4 0'E 5 0'E 6 0'E 7 0'E 8 0'E 9 0'E