Nexans has received the first order under the frame agreement to manufacture approximately 110km of high voltage subsea cables Orsted and Eversource’s South Fork Wind offshore wind project.
The 3-phase 138 kV high voltage alternative current (HVAC) subsea export cables will be integrated with two fibre-optic cables and transmit 132MW of electricity to Long Island, New York.
Located 35 miles offshore from Montauk Point, New York, the project will address East Hampton’s energy needs, producing enough clean energy to power 70,000 homes annually.
The historic project will be the New York state’s first offshore wind farm and will play a key role in reaching the state’s clean energy goals.
Construction will start in 2022.
The Export Cable Framework Agreement, providing the opportunity to supply up to 1,000km of high voltage subsea cables in the US by 2027, was signed in December 2019 between Orsted Wind Power North America LLC and Nexans.
Its aim was to accelerate the energy transition in North America by bringing Nexans’ industry-leading subsea cable technology to the US.
This contract is the first project to be delivered under this agreement.
The HVAC cables will be manufactured at Nexans’ newly transformed subsea high voltage plant in Charleston, South Carolina, the only plant in the US capable of manufacturing high voltage subsea cables.
It is a critical part of building out the strategic supply chain for offshore wind industry in the US.
Nexans executive vice president for subsea & land systems Ragnhild Katteland said: “The South Fork Wind Farm will deliver crucial renewable energy to thousands of households in New York State.
“It’s the perfect project to officially kick off the delivery of our partnership agreement with Orsted and Eversource.
“The project represents a great opportunity for Nexans to support the US’s burgeoning offshore wind sector, which is providing better energy security, driving economic development, improving energy price stability, and contributing to the fight against climate change.
“As the world leader for cabling solutions for offshore wind-power production, Nexans will play an instrumental role in providing the expertise and infrastructure to deliver the project.
“Offshore wind is one of the most stable and secure sources of renewable energy, and the partnership is the latest part of our strategic commitment to electrify the future and fast-track the energy sector’s journey to net zero.”