UK energy regulator Ofgem will launch the Hornsea 3 transmission tender on 21 October 2026, seeking an owner and operator for the offshore wind farm’s electricity transmission assets, which have an estimated value of £3.5 billion.
The competition, designated Offshore Transmission Owner (OFTO) Tender Round 14, covers the transmission infrastructure associated with Ørsted‘s 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 offshore wind project in the North Sea.
The tender will rank among the largest conducted under the UK’s OFTO regime. The estimated £3.5 billion value matches that of Tender Round 13, although the earlier round covers assets from three separate offshore wind farms rather than a single project.
Ofgem confirmed its intention to begin the competition on 21 October in a formal notice published on 1 September 2026. The notice was issued under the Electricity (Competitive Tenders for Offshore Transmission Licences) Regulations 2015.
The Hornsea 3 transmission system includes two offshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations, offshore export cables, onshore transmission cables and an onshore converter station in Norfolk. Together, these assets provide the connection between the offshore wind farm and Britain’s onshore electricity network.
Both offshore converter stations have already been installed. Heerema Marine Contractors completed installation of the second station in September 2026 using its semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir.
The same vessel installed the first offshore converter station in March 2026. Installation of the second platform marked the completion of the project’s offshore converter station installation programme, as detailed in HMT News’ report on the Hornsea 3 converter station installation.
Construction of the export cable system has also progressed. The project’s first offshore export cable was laid and pulled ashore earlier in 2026, forming part of the electrical connection between the offshore HVDC facilities and the onshore transmission infrastructure.
Under the OFTO system, investors and qualified consortiums compete for licences to own and operate offshore electricity transmission assets. Once the competitive process and subsequent transfer requirements have been completed, the successful bidder takes ownership of the relevant infrastructure and assumes responsibility for its operation and maintenance.
The Hornsea 3 tender therefore concerns the future ownership and operation of transmission infrastructure rather than the construction of the wind farm itself. The estimated £3.5 billion asset value is not a confirmed sale price or an awarded construction contract.
The preceding OFTO Tender Round 13 covers the electricity transmission connections for East Anglia Three, Inch Cape and Dogger Bank C. Those assets have a combined estimated value of £3.5 billion. Ofgem announced five shortlisted bidders for the three projects in March 2026.
In contrast, Tender Round 14 will cover the transmission assets of Hornsea 3 alone. Its estimated value equals that of the combined package in the preceding round, making it one of the largest competitions by estimated asset value in the OFTO programme.
Hornsea 3 is being developed approximately 120 kilometres off the Norfolk coast. The wind farm is planned to comprise 197 Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 14 MW each.
Offshore foundation installation began earlier in 2026, while inter-array cable installation was scheduled to begin in October. The project is expected to enter operation in 2027.
The OFTO tender is scheduled to commence on 21 October 2026. The future owner and operator of the Hornsea 3 transmission assets will be determined through the subsequent competitive selection and licensing process.
