Fabricator EEW has won a contract from Dominion Energy to manufacture foundations for the 2600MW Coastal Virginia offshore wind farm off the US east coast, as the developer confirmed a separate cables and installation deal.
The Rostock-based steel specialist will process more than 200,000 tonnes of steel for the 176 monopiles with a diameter of up to 9.5 metres starting in spring 2023.
Managing director Heiko Mutzelburg said: “EEW SPC is a respected, global leader in the offshore wind industry and provided excellent support during the construction of our CVOW pilot project.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship as we move forward with the construction of our commercial project and bring utility scale offshore wind generation to our Virginia customers.”
Earlier today, a consortium of DEME Offshore US and Prysmian was awarded a €1.6bn contract by Dominion Energy Virginia for the project.
The contract is worth about $1.1bn (€950m) for DEME for the balance of plant and €630m for Prysmian for the subsea cables for the project.
DEME Offshore’s contract includes the transport and installation of 176 monopile transition piece foundations, three offshore substations, scour protection and the supply and installation of export and array submarine cable systems.
The company will oversee the complete offshore installation works for the foundations, substations, infield cables, as well as part of the export cables.
Prysmian Group will provide three three-core 220kV HVAC export cables measuring approximately 62km each, with XLPE insulation and single-wire armouring, for a total of approximately 560km.
The Italian company will also supply 320km of three-core 66kV offshore array cables with XLPE insulation.
The export cables will be produced in Arco Felice, Italy, and Pikkala, Finland, while the array cables will be manufactured in Nordenham, Germany.
The agreement is the largest offshore wind installation contract ever awarded in the US.
Dominion Energy vice president of offshore wind Joshua Bennett said: “DEME Offshore brings valuable industry knowledge and years of experience to our Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.
“We look forward to working with DEME Offshore to advance offshore wind off the coast of Virginia as we lead the Commonwealth’s clean-energy transition.”
DEME Group chief executive Luc Vandenbulcke said: “We are extremely proud to be playing such a significant role in this dynamic and growing US market and seeing our efforts bring clean energy to American households.
“Following the award of the Vineyard offshore wind project installation works for foundations, substation and wind turbines and South Fork cable installation works, this partnership with Dominion Energy is an endorsement of our expertise and track record in enabling the energy transition process in the US.
“This contract further reaffirms DEME’s position as the pre-eminent contractor in the offshore wind installation industry both in the US and globally.”
DEME Offshore US director Jan Klaassen said: “We are grateful for Dominion Energy for the opportunity to launch this consortium.
“By working closely with our partners at Prysmian Powerlink, we will jointly support the project during the design and preparation phase with our joint expertise, and ultimately deliver on the promise of offshore wind power to the benefit of Virginia residents, businesses, and families.”
Prysmian Group chief executive Valerio Battista said: “As Prysmian Group we consider US central in our growth strategy and the renewed Biden administration’s strong commitment on the development of infrastructure supporting the energy transition is something really positive.
“Following the award of the Vineyard submarine offshore project and the SOO Green HVDC link, the Dominion Energy project represents a further confirmation of our major role in helping our customers meet their goals.”
Coastal Virginia is expected to be completed by 2026.