VBMS Takes Over Walney Extension Cable Installation Contract

VBMS has been awarded a contract by DONG Energy for the installation of 87 inter-array cables for the 660MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm.

The total scope of work for VBMS will consist of route engineering, a pre-lay grapnel run, cable transport, cable installation and trenching.

The project will be executed by VBMS’ in-house owned and operated cable-laying vessels and trenching tools.

DONG initially awarded the inter-array cable installation contract to CT Offshore, a subsidiary of A2SEA.

The re-award of the contract to VBMS is most likely linked to A2SEA’s recent decision to halt all further projects at CT Offshore, and to sell all of the company’s vessels and equipment.

The Walney Extension OWF is located approximately 19 kilometres off the west coast of England, next to the 367.2 MW Walney 1 & 2 offshore wind farms, for which VBMS installed the export and inter-array cables between 2009 and 2011.

VBMS is a joint venture of VolkerWessels and Boskalis which specializes in subsea power cable installation for the renewables market, as well as the installation of the interconnectors.