The TenneT 2GW programme will create up to 6,000 local jobs in Batam, Indonesia

The TenneT 2GW programme is an initiative that aims to connect up to 14 HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) platforms in the North Sea, each with a capacity of 2 GW, to transport offshore renewable wind energy to the mainland grid. The goal is to integrate 40 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, contributing to Europe’s climate neutrality target by 2050.

Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, is participating in this project on behalf of its client Arus Jaya, an Indonesian company specialised in offshore project management for the oil, gas and renewable energy industries, for the installation of a 1-ton steel infrastructure at the McDermott Indonesia yard. This company has been awarded the construction, fabrication and installation of critical components to connect offshore wind farms in the North Sea to the mainland electricity grid. McDermott’s yard in Batam began the construction phase for components of these projects in June 2025, creating up to 6,000 local jobs and positioning Batam as a hub for renewable energy.

The heavy lifting work carried out by Sarens required strict compliance with safety regulations due to the site conditions, which included very limited operating space and proximity to other equipment in operation. To operate with complete safety, during the planning phase Sarens’ engineering team conducted a prior site study that included load-bearing capacity calculations and assessments of the ground condition to ensure an efficient lift that met all safety guarantees. Special emphasis was also placed on safety procedures, equipment selection and work scheduling.

With the information provided by the study, Sarens team selected the GR500EXL rough-terrain crane due to its high lifting capacity, stability on uneven ground and mobility in confined spaces. It is also highly reliable and suitable for the lifting requirements of the site. The equipment was configured with the main boom with full counterweight, fully extended outriggers and a standard hook suitable for medium-to-heavy load lifting tasks.

The crane was transported from Sarens’ main workshop in the area, requiring only one day and one transport, which streamlined operations. Despite the space constraints, the crane was also assembled in just one day, including the safety inspection and functional tests. The manufacturer also provided technical assistance by reviewing the lift plan and offering recommendations for safe crane operation.

Once the crane was installed, Sarens team carried out the heavy lifting tasks, which consisted of lifting mechanical components, including reinforcements and pipe structures. These pieces weighed between 500 kg and 1 ton and required a working radius of between 15 and 20 meters. The lifts were performed with the crane slewing in a fixed position, without the need for travel movements, at a height of 3 meters. For this operation, a total of five crew members were involved, including the operator, rigger and erector team.

Regarding the operation, Muhamad Rizki, Key Account Manager at Sarens, explained: “Despite the challenge this job represented—operating in a very confined space with nearby structures, which demanded total coordination and constant communication among the team—we were able to complete it fully satisfactorily and within the scheduled time. The crane performed flawlessly, with excellent stability and precision, which helped achieve the time efficiency that was important to minimise disruption on site.

Sarens has more than 60 years of international experience in the development and installation of strategically important projects. The company has been recently involved in the Clean Fuel Project works in Thailand, in the expansion of the S-Oil plant in Ulsan, South Korea, in the construction of the Petroperu refinery in Talara (Peru), and in the Skikda refinery in Algeria among others. Sarens was also recently commissioned by PTSC M&C for the load out of an LQUP jacket weighing more than 4,500 tons in Vietnam that will be dedicated to the extraction of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal.

Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.

With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 5,000 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/