RWE plans to supply a system-stabilising secondary reserve, also known as automatic frequency restoration reserve, for the German power grid from its offshore wind farm, Amrumbank West. Transmission system operator TenneT has granted the necessary pre-qualification for a capacity of 60MW.
The secondary reserve supports the primary and minute reserves in maintaining grid frequency at a stable 50 Hertz, preventing potential failures. To participate in secondary reserve auctions, the 60MW reduction in wind farm capacity must be fully activated within five minutes.
From the first quarter of 2025, RWE will market this secondary reserve through daily balancing energy auctions. The offshore wind farm, located approximately 37 kilometres west of the North Frisian island of Amrum, will not only generate renewable electricity but also play an active role in stabilising the German power grid. Amrumbank West consists of 80 turbines with a total capacity of 302MW.
