The far-reaching scope includes the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the subsea cables for the combined 2.4 GW wind farm. DEME Offshore will supply, install and protect 650 kilometres of 66 kV inter-array cables and all related accessories.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is located more than 130 kilometres off the North East coast of England and is currently being developed in three 1.2 GW phases by joint venture partners SSE Renewables and Equinor. Dogger Bank will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when complete and will generate enough energy to power over 4.5 million homes every year – around 5 percent of the UK’s electricity needs.
Production of the cable for Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B will start in 2021 and will be installed using the state-of-the-art DP3 cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’. She was selected based on her huge cable capacity of more than 10,000 tonnes, and proven track record. This unique vessel boasts a DEME-designed dual-lane system, consisting of two cable highways – one for laying the cable and one where the next cable can be simultaneously prepared and have the cable protection system (CPS) installed. This significantly reduces the time needed for preparing the cables, minimises manual handling, increases the vessel’s workability and ultimately, improves production rates. DEME Offshore will work closely with SSE Renewables and Equinor to engage with the UK supply chain in the delivery of the project.
“We are very proud to have been awarded this exceptional project, which represents the largest ever inter-array cable contract in the world to date” said Bart De Poorter, General Manager DEME Offshore. “The renowned cable-laying capabilities and stellar reputation of ‘Living Stone’ were key factors in securing this important contract.”
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s Project Director at SSE Renewables, added that DEME, using its state of the art ‘Living Stone’ vessel, has a proven track record in delivering large inter-array cable scopes, and this experience and capability will be essential to successfully install the 650 kilometres of cable required for Dogger Bank A and B.
The contract with DEME Offshore is subject to joint venture partners SSE Renewables and Equinor reaching Financial Close on Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B, expected in late 2020.
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