DENS powers 2GW project at Maasvlakte
Published on Thursday 03 July 2025 by DENS
Electric drilling for Van Vulpen, commissioned by TenneT
At the Maasvlakte, contractor Van Vulpen is working on a major infrastructure project for Dutch grid operator TenneT. They’re drilling cable connections underneath existing roads, buildings, and infrastructure—part of the 2GW project. It’s a technical challenge that must also be carried out completely emission-free, due to the proximity of a protected nature reserve. That’s where DENS comes in, providing mobile battery systems.
What is the 2GW project about?
The Netherlands aims to generate 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. That electricity needs to be safely and reliably brought ashore. To make this happen, TenneT is building underground high-voltage connections between offshore wind farms in the North Sea and the national grid.
One of the key landing points is at the Maasvlakte, where cables are laid to literally bring clean power from sea to socket.
Emission-free drilling near protected nature
Some of the cables need to go under roads, buildings, and industrial sites. Digging a trench isn’t an option there. Instead, a method called horizontal directional drilling is used—laying cables underground without disturbing the surface.
Van Vulpen uses this technique. Because the work borders a sensitive nature area, it must be done without emissions. Their drilling machine runs fully electric, powered by battery packs that are continuously charged by DENS Powerhubs.
DENS Powerhub: How it works on site
This project uses multiple hooklift mobile Powerhubs from DENS. Each system has a battery capacity of 1160 kWh and provides a continuous output of 600 kVA. The Powerhubs can charge and discharge quickly, which is essential for ongoing processes like drilling.
The Van Vulpen drill is connected directly to a Powerhub. Once a Powerhub is empty, a charged unit is swapped in, ensuring a steady energy supply without downtime.
Charging happens several kilometers away, in a location with strict environmental regulations. Even the transport is electric, keeping the project’s footprint minimal.
The next step in zero-emission construction
This project shows where the industry is heading: large-scale energy infrastructure built without emissions. Our Powerhubs make that possible—and not just at the Maasvlakte.
Whether it’s for construction, grid congestion, or temporary events—wherever clean mobile energy is needed, we can deliver.
Power where you need it.
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