Work has begun to install the first length of cable for what will be the world’s largest wind farm, firing the starting pistol on offshore construction.
Tier one supplier NKT is leading the work to fit the Dogger Bank A nearshore, HVDC export cable off the coast of Yorkshire.
It will connect the first phase of the mammoth wind farm, more than 80 miles out to sea, to a landfall point in East Riding.
Aberdeenshire-based ACE Winches and LMR Drilling UK of Birkenhead are among the companies supporting NKT on the installation.
The campaign will continue throughout the course of 2022 – work to install export cables for Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C will take place in the following years.
Dogger Bank, which is being built in three 1.2 gigawatt (GW) phases, will be the first HVDC connected wind farm in the UK.
It aims to pave the way for other UK wind farms and suppliers to transmit renewable energy safely and efficiently across long distances while minimising potential losses.
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Wind Farm project director, said: “This is an exciting time for everyone involved in this project as we celebrate installing the first nearshore HVDC export cable safely and on-time.
“With the first foundations due to be installed later this year and the first turbines scheduled for installation in 2023, we’re now well on our way to achieving first power from this unrivalled global renewable energy asset.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to all those who’ve worked incredibly hard to reach this major offshore milestone.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Eni Plenitude (20%).
SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of the 3.6 GW project.
Once complete in 2026, Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm for its expected operational life of around 35 years.
NKT will supply and install the onshore and offshore HVDC cable for all three phases of the project.
The Danish company will use its cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria to install the 320kV DC subsea cable system in the North Sea.
Head of project execution at NKT, Darren Fennell said: “As a long term high-voltage DC technology partner to Equinor, Eni Plenitude and SSE Renewables, NKT is excited to have reached the installation phase of the Dogger Bank A near shore cables. The overall project is key for the continued European focus on increasing the use of renewable energy sources and we look forward to successfully completing the cable installations.”
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