Wind energy – cable protection
UK-based First Subsea has successfully designed, manufactured, tested and delivered on time the Cable Protection System for the inter-array cables at the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.
Ordered by DEME Offshore, the cable protection system is to protect the cable during installation and during the operating lifespan of the windfarm, significantly reducing cable fatigue at the point of entry into the wind turbine offshore structures.
The windfarm will be developed by EDF Renewables and Irish electricity company ESB which has a 50% stake in the project.
The NnG project has a planned capacity of 450MW, cable of powering up to 391,000 homes.
The NnG project shall be followed by other CPS projects for EDF which include Fécamp Offshore Wind Park located offshore Normandy.
First Subsea’s CPS construction in the dynamic freespan section is designed to stiffen the cable. This reduces lateral movement in this fatigue sensitive area by a quarter when compared to a restrictor system.