Hitachi Energy has secured an order from Ørsted, pending final investment decision, to deliver cutting-edge power electronics technology for the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm. The project, located 69 km off Yorkshire’s coast, will integrate 2.4 GW of renewable energy into the UK grid, advancing the country’s Clean Power 2030 targets.
The project will deploy Hitachi Energy's next-generation grid stabilization solution, Enhanced STATCOM, marking its first application in Europe’s offshore wind sector. This innovation builds on the conventional STATCOM technology used at Hornsea 2 and introduces advanced grid-forming capabilities to manage grid frequency and voltage stability in real time.
At the core of this solution is SVC Light® Enhanced, part of Hitachi Energy’s Grid-enSure™ portfolio. This technology combines reactive power compensation with supercapacitors, enabling ultra-fast absorption and injection of active power to maintain grid stability. The inclusion of Grid Forming Control ensures adaptability to future grid changes, offering project owners the ability to provide inertia and grid stability services.
Hornsea 4 secured a 2.4 GW Contract for Difference (CfD) from the UK Government in September 2024, guaranteeing a fixed electricity price and financial stability for the project. The final investment decision is expected within 15 months, with commercial operations planned by 2030.
This milestone underscores the vital role of innovative grid technologies in accelerating the renewable energy transition and ensuring reliable power supply as global energy systems evolve.
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