The project differs from most HVDC systems in that one of the two converter stations is built on a platform in the sea.

DolWin1 is part of an ambitious programme of providing grid connections to offshore wind parks off the coast of Germany, in the German Bight, as part of the German Energiewende (Energy Transition) programme.

HVDC has been chosen for most of the grid connections because the relatively long distance involved – both from the wind park to shore and from the shore to the nearest suitable connection point to the onshore grid - makes conventional alternating current transmission uneconomic.

One converter is provided at each end of the link with a DC voltage of ±320 kV and a transmission capacity of 800 MW.

[4] Trial operation with the Borkum West wind park commenced in December 2014[5] and the project was handed over in July 2015.