JDR Cable Systems has signed a contract with Equinor for the Hywind Tampen pioneering project.

JDR is designing and manufacturing eleven 66kV dynamic inter-array cables and two static export cables, each equipped with a JDR designed breakaway system and a range of cable accessories for delivery in 2022.

The project will be the first worldwide to power oil and gas platforms using floating offshore wind – a far more technically challenging and less mature technology than traditional fixed-foundation offshore wind. Cables pose a particular challenge due to the high dynamic stress they must withstand, however JDR has already established itself as a leader in this fledgling sub-sector, delivering the world’s first application of dynamic 66kV technology and breakaway system to the Windfloat Atlantic floating wind farm last year.

The Hywind Tampen project will consist of 11 wind turbines developed by Equinor. The 8 MW turbines will have a total capacity of 88 MW, capable of meeting about 35 per cent of the annual power demand of the five Snorre A and B, Gullfaks A, B and C oil and gas platforms. The floating wind project is in water depths of 300 metres, much deeper than any previous floating wind project and is the first ever to power oil and gas platforms.

The 2.5 km long 66kV dynamic array cables will connect to the eleven turbines in a loop and the two static 12.9km and 16km export cables will be used to connect the loop to the Snorre A and Gullfaks A platforms. The greater water depth means the cable accessories will be specially designed to withstand higher water pressures.