Nexans, using Boskalis’ fallpipe vessel (FPV) Rockpiper, is set to commence the rock emplacement campaign for the installation of the first of two export cables (EC1) in the Beatrice offshore wind farm export corridors on 21 December.
On behalf of Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd. (BOWL), Nexans will carry out the construction using Rockpiper for the installation of 8″ grade rock.
The rock emplacement operation will be supported by guard vessels Seagull and Morning Dawn.
The estimated duration of the works is ten days unweathered. However, if adverse weather occurs, the FPV will cease its activities, recover the fall pipe and remain on station until suitable working weather.
Pull-in operations at the exposed wet stored cable-end close to the Offshore Transmission Module (OTC) are scheduled for January 2018, BOWL said.
Nexans’ cable laying vessel Nexans Skagerrak recently completed the laying and burial of the first 70-kilometer 220kV export cable which will connect the wind farm to the Scottish grid.
In May last year, the company won a contract for cable works on the wind farm together with Siemens, who is in charge of supplying, installing and commissioning the wind farm’s turbines.