First Subsea has hired Gary Howland to drive Renewables Connectors Business.
Prior to joining Jee, Mr Howland was Vice President – Renewables at Trelleborg Offshore developing business in the global renewable energy sector, in particular offshore wind. Drawing on his recent experience in subsea cable engineering consultancy Gary Howland, commented, ”Cable installation is an area where there is scope for new connector technology offering by better engineering, and quicker and safer cable connections. First Subsea’s connectors offer all three.”
First Subsea has developed a range of cable and mooring systems designed to streamline cable installation and mooring of floating wind turbines. The Monopile Interface Connector (MIC) secures the cable’s monopile connection, while the Hang-Off Connector (HOC) holds the pre-terminated cable in position on the hang-off deck ready for connection.
First Subsea managing director John Shaw said: “Gary Howland’s appointment strengthens our sales and technical resource in line with our commitment to set the standard for wind turbine connectors.”
For the deployment of wind farms further offshore at water depths in excess of 80m, where monopiles are considered impractical, First Subsea has developed a top tension mooring line connector. The top tension connector allow the installation contractor to moor and tension a floating turbine’s mooring lines without the need for specialist tensioning equipment, and surface vessels requiring significant capex, that currently restricts the commercialisation of floating offshore wind farms.