Positive
Project advancing - milestone achieved
High Impact
Major milestone or critical setback
BNetzA confirmed the Netzentwicklungsplan Strom 2030 (2019 edition) on 20 December 2019 under §12c EnWG — the first integrated NEP that included offshore grid connection systems (replacing the separate O-NEP). This confirmation created the legal basis and obligation for TenneT to plan, procure and construct DolWin5 (NOR-1-1). For regulated German TSO offshore grid connections, the BNetzA NEP confirmation functions as the de facto Final Investment Decision: unlike merchant or developer-led projects that require a separate board-level investment decision and financial close, the NEP confirmation simultaneously authorises and obligates the TSO to invest, with costs recovered through the offshore-grid levy (Offshore-Netzumlage). DolWin5 is a 900 MW ±320 kV HVDC connection serving Borkum Riffgrund 3; commissioned October 2024.