Van Oord has started cable installation for Iberdrola Deutschland’s 476MW Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm.
The inter-array cable loading onto Van Oord’s cable-laying vessel Nexus has begun after heavy lift installation vessel Svanen (pictured) completed installation of all 50 monopiles for the project.
In total, Van Oord will lay approximately 70km of 66kV inter-array cables, manufactured by subcontractor TKF.
To protect the wires, Van Oord will deploy its trencher Dig-It later this year to bury them.
This tracked remotely operated vehicle (TROV) drives unmanned over the seabed and creates a trench for the cables by liquefying the seabed.
To complete the foundations for the turbines, Van Oord is currently installing the transition pieces on the previously installed monopiles.
The transition pieces were transported from the manufacturing yard in Aviles to the Van Oord storage facility in Mukran, Germany.
At Van Oord’s facility the final preparations and equipment is installed to enable the work.
Baltic Eagle director at Iberdrola Luis Pérez Portela said: “Very key milestones are being completed in the construction site and we’re looking forward to completing all installation work before commissioning can begin.
“I’d like to thank all vendors, suppliers, partners and staff for their commitment and perseverance which is allowing us to deliver this important project.”
Project director at Van Oord Henk Jan van Dijk added: “The installation of the monopiles marks a key milestone in the construction of the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm.
“The contours are now visible. Now that the transition pieces are being installed and our cable-laying vessel is ready to install the inter-array cables, construction is progressing well.
“A big thanks to the dedicated project team and all our partners driving this project.”