UK-based DeepOcean has, on behalf of Hengtong Group, completed export cable installation for the first floating wind farm project in the Atlantic Ocean, the 25MW WindFloat Atlantic.
DeepOcean’s scope of work included project management, engineering, and execution of all marine activities associated with the installation of an 18-kilometre static and dynamic submarine cable offshore Portugal.
DeepOcean performed route engineering, free-span analysis, and a burial risk assessment before engineering the optimal installation and protection solution for the challenging seabed conditions.
This comprised pre-lay rock bag installation, post-lay rock placement plus the application of Tekmar and First Subsea cable protection systems in rocky seabed areas.
DeepOcean’s T1 Trencher, modified to include a new 3-metre jet trenching package, was deployed in areas of sufficient seabed sediment. This marked DeepOcean’s first project for the floating offshore wind industry.
Portugal’s transmission grid operator REN – Rede Electrica Nacional, S.A. contracted China’s Hengtong to deliver and install the export cable for the WindFloat Atlantic.
The WindFloat Atlantic will comprise three MHI Vestas 8.4MW turbines mounted on WindFloat foundations and installed around 20 kilometres off the coast of Viana de Castelo, in 85-100 metre water depth.
The project is being realized by the Windplus consortium, which is jointly owned by EDP Renováveis (54.4%), ENGIE (25%), Repsol (19.4%) and Principle Power Inc. (1.2%).