PPL, Elia Group to propose solutions to integrate offshore wind into New England grid

PPL Corp. and Elia Group have agreed to propose transmission solutions to efficiently integrate future offshore wind capacity to the onshore grid in the New England region.

The partnership combines PPL’s experience, through its PPL TransLink subsidiary, in building and operating large-scale onshore transmission in the U.S. with Elia Group’s track record, through its WindGrid subsidiary, in building and operating offshore transmission, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) networks.

“As the U.S. seeks to accelerate the development of offshore wind to advance a cleaner energy future, it’s essential that we prepare to integrate that wind generation as reliably and efficiently as possible to strengthen grid resilience and keep energy affordable,” Vincent Sorgi, president and CEO of PPL Corp., said. “Both PPL and Elia Group are at the forefront of grid innovation, and together with WindGrid, we intend to leverage our shared vision and deep expertise to propose solutions that advance decarbonization goals, enhance energy security and drive value for consumers.”

Later in October, PPL and WindGrid will jointly respond to a request for information (RFI) issued by five New England states, seeking input on the transmission system changes and upgrades needed to integrate future renewable energy resources into their grids. The five states that issued the RFI are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and New Hampshire.

The states recognize the importance of early planning for carrying out this offshore wind development. Recent studies suggest that up to 30,000 megawatts of New England offshore wind capacity will be deployed by 2050.

“Both PPL and Elia Group share the same open mind and vision regarding innovative offshore transmission solutions,” Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group, said. “By uniting our complementary skills and building on the experience Elia Group has built up in Europe, we want to undertake offshore development in the interest of society. PPL is a reliable and robust player in the U.S. energy sector. Our values and ambitions in terms of driving the energy transition are well matched.”

For more than 25 years, Elia Group has been a leader in offshore electricity transmission. Through its subsidiaries in Belgium and Germany, the company has connected 14 wind farms (3,500 MW by the end of 2022) to its onshore grid. Also, it is currently operating three HVDC subsea cable interconnectors. Elia Group is currently developing the world’s first energy islands that will form the building blocks of an integrated European offshore grid. These offshore electricity hubs will link wind farms and HVDC interconnectors to multiple European countries.

Overall, Elia Group’s transmission system has a reliability rate of 99.99 percent.

PPL Corp. has invested more than $9 billion in transmission in the United States over the past decade.