Jan De Nul, in partnership with Hellenic Cables, has been awarded a frame agreement by RTE to provide export cables for two French floating wind farms totalling 750MW.
Three submarine cables of 50 km each will transport the electricity produced by these floating wind farms ashore.
Grid operator RTE has signed a framework agreement for the export cables for the floating wind farms to be located off the coast of southern Brittany.
The agreement covers the supply and installation of the cables.
Together with Hellenic Cables from Greece, Jan De Nul is responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation and protection of three high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) 225 kV cable systems, which together span some 150 kilometres.
In addition to transport and installation, the marine contractor will embed the cables in the seabed.
Further to the submarine cables, Hellenic Cables will also supply 240 km of onshore cables, that will be manufactured in Hellenic Cable’s land cables factory in Thiva, Greece.
Filip Olde Bijvank, head of commercial offshore cables at Jan De Nul Group, said: “The realisation of this project will play a key role in unlocking the potential of floating offshore wind energy in France and shows Jan De Nul Group’s determination to build the energy transition and assist our clients to meet their ambitions.”
Jan De Nul and Hellenic Cables will execute these projects under an engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract with RTE to be finalised during the period 2025-2026.
The partners will develop the best cable design and installation methodology, both from a technical and economic perspective.
Wouter Vermeersch, manager of offshore cables at Jan De Nul, said: “We strongly believe framework agreements are the way forward in this industry.
“In this type of agreement, we work closely with our client to plan and execute the key aspects of cable production, transportation, installation, and protection, ensuring a smooth and timely delivery.
“In particular, this current frame agreement will result in an EPCI contract to support two floating wind farm developments.”