The first of Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm’s two 85km offshore export cables has been successfully installed off the east coast of Scotland.
The 220kV, three-phase export cable was installed in three 28km sections by Enshore Subsea using the CMOS Installer cable lay vessel operating from the Port of Blyth. Once operational, it will transmit power from the 1.1GW wind farm to the project’s new onshore substation under construction at Cockenzie, East Lothian.
Two offshore joints were completed using North Sea Giant and the cable will shortly be buried in the seabed.
Inch Cape project director John Hill said: “We are delighted with the completion of this scope which is the critical link between the offshore and onshore substations, with great work by the Inch Cape team and our supply partners, including Orient Cable and Enshore Subsea. This achievement is testament to the momentum Inch Cape has gathered since early summer, and to the team’s focus on the successful delivery of key milestones.”
Enshore Subsea chief executive Pierre Boyde said: “The installation of the first export cable is an important step for the Inch Cape project. We appreciate the collaboration with our partners and remain focused on supporting the safe and efficient delivery of the work ahead.”
Manufactured by Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables (Orient Cable), the 2000mm² cable is among the largest AC export cables in the world. The second 85km cable will be installed by Enshore Subsea in three 28km sections during a later campaign in 2026.
Inch Cape, owned jointly by ESB and Red Rock Renewables, is now well into its offshore construction phase with the offshore substation platform and first export cable installed, and the first XXL monopiles delivered to the Port of Leith.
Next year will see installation of monopile and jacket foundations, the first of 72 Vestas 15MW turbines, and completion of the onshore substation. The project remains on track for first power in late 2026 and full operations in 2027.
Once complete, Inch Cape will generate nearly 5TWh of electricity annually-enough to power half of Scotland’s homes.