Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit has completed the transport and installation of the BorWin epsilon offshore converter platform for TenneT’s BorWin5 grid connection system in the North Sea. The two-week offshore campaign concluded on 18 May, with the safe set-down of the 12,300-tonne topside.
The topside houses high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology that will convert power from offshore wind turbines into direct current for efficient transmission to shore.
Allseas’ scope covered transport, installation, piling and grouting of the 7500-tonne jacket and topsides, all executed by Pioneering Spirit’s state-of-the-art lifting systems. The operation required no support vessels, reflecting the vessel’s unique ability to carry out heavy-lift campaigns independently.
This all-in-one approach was made possible by close coordination between Allseas’ offshore crews and onshore engineering, project and support teams. The project was delivered in partnership with client Dragados Offshore, who designed and built the converter platform in a consortium with Siemens Energy.
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He Dreiht wind farm
Once operational end of 2025, as the centrepiece of the BorWin5 offshore grid connection, the BorWin epsilon converter station will serve as the central hub for EnBW’s He Dreiht wind farm, converting 900 MW of wind-generated power for transmission to shore – enough to supply around 1.1 million homes with clean electricity.
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Second offshore converter installation
BorWin epsilon marks Allseas’ second full offshore converter platform installation, following the DolWin kappa project in 2022. These landmark projects confirm Allseas’ evolving role as a key enabler of Europe’s offshore wind expansion.
To date, Allseas has delivered converter platforms supporting 4.2 GW of European renewable energy capacity. Looking ahead, Allseas’ growing T&I portfolio – including the ambitious TenneT 2-GW programme – will contribute to the delivery of over 30 GW of clean power to homes and businesses across Europe.
Picture by Allseas. The Pioneering Spirit carrying this platform was also SWZ|Maritime’s May 2025 cover picture.
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