DEME has completed the installation of a subsea export cable for Belgian grid operator Elia’s Modular Offshore Grid (MOG) ahead of schedule.
To install the 85km of cable the company used the installation vessel Living Stone.
The project connects Elia’s offshore switch yard to the shore station Stevin at Zeebrugge, in Belgium as well as the Rentel wind farm’s offshore substation.
Living Stone collected the cable from the manufacturer Hellenic Cable in Greece and transported it to the site in Belgium before performing the installation, including offshore jointing and four pull-ins.
The installation used a dual-lane cable installation system, consisting of two cable highways so that one cable could be installed while the next cable was simultaneously prepared on deck, including the installation of the cable protection system.
The MOG submarine power cable project was awarded in August 2017.
DEME also deployed the newest trailing suction hopper dredger Bonny River on the project to backfill 45km of trenches.
DEME Offshore project director Marco Kanaar said: “This is again a very successful job executed by the Living Stone. It was great to see all plans worked out without any set back.
“Usually with a new, complex vessel you might expect some teething problems, however it was great to see that our crew had already ironed out any potential issues beforehand.
“Definitely the great team spirit between our marine crew and project team and certainly the constructive approach from our client Elia have been instrumental to the success.”
Elia project director Tom Pietercil said: “The MOG plays an essential role in the transition towards more renewable energy. We are especially proud that Elia can act as a pioneer in this regard.
“The project has been completed in record time: the first agreements were made with the authorities in March 2016, and the MOG will be operational this September. This is the result of good cooperation between all partners in the project.”