JDR Cable Systems has signed a contract with Equinor to supply array and export cables for the 88MW Hywind Tampen floating wind project in the North Sea.
Under the deal’s terms JDR will design and manufacture 11 66kV dynamic inter-array cables and two static export cables, each equipped with a breakaway system and cable accessories for delivery in 2022.
Compared with conventional fixed foundation offshore wind installations floating turbines place cables under higher levels of dynamic stress. JDR has already supplied dynamic 66kV technology and breakaway system to the Windfloat Atlantic floating wind farm off the coast of Portugal.
Hywind Tampen will consist of 11 8MW turbines, capable of meeting 35% of the annual power demand of the five Snorre A and B, Gullfaks A, B and C oil and gas platforms.
The floating wind project is in water depths of 300 metres, significantly deeper than any previous floating wind project and is the first wind farm to power offshore oil and gas platforms.
The 2.5 km long 66kV dynamic array cables will connect to the eleven turbines in a loop and the two static 12.9km and 16km export cables will be used to connect the loop to the Snorre A and Gullfaks A platforms. The greater water depth means the cable accessories will be especially designed to withstand higher water pressures.
JDR Cables’ Robert Weeks said: “We are delighted to win this project with Equinor. It’s a world-first and we are very proud to be a part of it.
“Floating wind is still in its infancy compared to fixed-foundation offshore wind, but has the potential to revolutionise how we generate power for deepwater platforms and on coastlines which only have access to deeper waters.
“As operators look to decarbonise production and countries look for more sources of renewable energy, floating offshore wind can make the difference, and we are committed to providing solutions and innovative technologies to help offshore wind flourish on a global scale.”
The power cores for the cables will be manufactured by JDR’s parent company TFKable at its Bydgoszcz factory in Poland. All the cables and accessories will be assembled at JDR’s facilities in Hartlepool UK.