French electricity transmission operator RTE has commissioned Dorsalys to build the Grande Sole substation which will enable the 496MW Dieppe-Le Tréport offshore wind farm in France to be connected to its grid.
The wind farm is located 15.5 km from Le Tréport and 17 km from Dieppe and comprises 62 turbines.
This transformer station, located on land 3km from the undersea cable landing point, is scheduled for delivery in spring 2025.
The electrical substation built will be linked to the wind farm’s offshore station by a double 225kV undersea link 23 km long, going underground from the Penly landing junction.
It is to be used to transform the 225 kV electricity generated at sea into 400 kV current that can be fed directly into the national grid.
Dorsalys project manager Alioune Gaye said of building the land platform: “They first had to fill in the existing sinkholes before they could begin earthworks for the platform and the substation fence, as well as digging deep foundations for the entire site.
“Construction of the buildings, drainage network installation and civil engineering work for the major structures are to follow.
“Finally, they will install the electrical equipment and connect the substation to high voltage, low voltage and optical fibre.
“Our proven know-how and expertise in this field will enable us to carry through this electrical substation from A to Z, from design to electrical work, including managing all the trades involved in building the station.”