DeepOcean Hired for Walney Extension Cable Laying

DeepOcean will provide installation and trenching works for DONG Energy’s Walney Extension offshore wind project in the Irish Sea.

Offshore works are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2017, subject to DONG Energy taking a final investment decision to proceed with the project. The works will be performed from DeepOcean’s new cable installation vessel Maersk Connector.

DeepOcean’s scope includes route engineering as well as the installation and trenching of a total of 136 km offshore export cables and a 23 km interlink cable. The cables will be pulled ashore near Heysham and will link the two offshore substation platforms at the wind farm.

DeepOcean’s Ottar Maeland, EVP Greater North Sea said: “This is a major contract using our state of the art new cable installation vessel Maersk Connector and the versatile installation and trenching vessel Havila Phoenix. DeepOcean’s investments in these advanced vessels and trenching systems are helping our customers bring down the risk and cost of offshore wind developments. DeepOcean’s investments and capabilities illustrate how the UK supply chain is working hard to support our Customers in bring clean power to millions of UK families.”

The 660MW Walney Extension project, WOW03 (west) and WOW04 (east), will comprise up to 90 turbines, each with a 7MW or 8MW output and 2 offshore substations. WOW03 and WOW04 will consist of 2 x 220kV independent electrical systems each with their own offshore sub stations.

Image: DeepOcean