RWE Innogy has shared a photo of the first 45-kilometre export cable for the 336MW Galloper offshore wind farm being loaded onto the carousel of VBMS’ multipurpose vessel Ndurance.
In October 2015, VBMS signed a contract for the export cabling scope in a consortium with nkt cables, consisting of supply and installation of two 45-kilometre-long export cables including route preparation, landfall operations, burial, termination and testing of the cables.
In addition, VBMS was awarded a contract for supply and installation of 56 inter-array cables, for which the company contracted the cable supplier JDR.
Installation of the first export cable is scheduled for 2016, followed by installation of the second export cable and inter-array cables in 2017.
Galloper is an extension of the existing and fully operational Greater Gabbard wind farm off the coast of Suffolk. The wind farm will comprise 56 Siemens wind turbines, each with a capacity of 6MW, installed some 27km off the coast.
The offshore construction phase started in June 2016 and is expected to be completed in late 2017. The wind farm is expected to commence operations in March 2018.
The wind farm is being constructed by RWE on behalf of the Galloper Wind Farm Limited, a GBP 1.5 billion joint equity partnership of 25% each between RWE Innogy UK, UK Green Investment Bank, Siemens Financial Services and Macquarie Capital.