Hartlepool-based subsea cable specialist JDR has been selected by WindPlus as the preferred cable supplier for the 25MW WindFloat Atlantic floating wind farm.
The project – located off the coast of Viana de Castelo, Northern Portugal – will see the industry’s first application of dynamic cables operating at 66kV.
The scope of supply includes the design and manufacture of array cables to suit MHI Vestas V164-8.0 MW floating turbines. The floating wind turbines will be connected via a network of inter-array cables to one export cable.
To support the project, JDR has designed a dynamic cable break away system, which protects the floating platform in the unlikely event of a mooring line failure. JDR’s proposal also includes HV termination and testing.
James Young, Chief Technology Officer at JDR said: “We are extremely proud to be selected by WindPlus as the preferred cable supplier for the Windfloat Atlantic project. JDR has an extensive track record in the design and supply of dynamic products to the oil and gas industry. This experience was essential in designing and optimising the cable configuration and accessories to meet the needs of this floating offshore wind project.”
The WindFloat Atlantic is located 20 kilometres off the coast at Viana do Castelo and is planned to be operational in 2018.
WindPlus is owned by EDP Renewables, Mitsubishi Corporation (DGE), Chiyoda Corporation, Trust Energy (Engie and Marubeni) and Repsol.
JDR said that WindFloat Atlantic brings together two pioneering developments in array cables: dynamic cable design for floating offshore wind and high-voltage power transmission, through 66kV cable technology.
JDR was recently awarded the world’s first large-scale commercial 66kV project for the East Anglia One wind farm in the UK.