Wind energy – U.S.A.
Vineyard Wind announced that Jan De Nul Group, together with its subcontractor JDR Cable Systems has been selected to supply and install the 130 miles of inter-array cables for the Vineyard Wind 1 project.
The 66kV inter-array cables connecting 62 GE Haliade-X turbines will transfer electricity to an offshore substation for transmission to the grid.
Part of the contract calls for installation support and subsea training for individuals with an electrical background, creating approximately 40 new full-time jobs in Massachusetts to ensure skilled labour is available locally to support the project and its ongoing maintenance, as well as the US offshore wind industry.
“Our partnership with Jan De Nul Group and JDR is great news for the project because it ensures that we’re working with a leading global installation company and supplier while also creating jobs here in the US,” said Vineyard Wind CEO Lars Pedersen.
“Combined with the recent signing of the Project Labour Agreement, we hope this latest step sends a clear message on the tremendous opportunity this industry holds for both job creation and investment.”
“We are excited to be at the forefront of the emerging offshore renewables market in the US,” said Wouter Vermeersch, Manager Offshore Cables at Jan De Nul Group. “In 2020, we successfully completed the foundation and turbine installation on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project and we are looking forward to capitalizing on the knowledge gained and the experience of working on the East Coast with this new challenge. Together with Vineyard Wind and our subcontractor JDR Cable Systems, we will support the local supply chain within the Massachusetts region to deliver the required offshore support vessels and skilled personnel up to the high standards required for safe and efficient offshore wind farm construction.”