Tekmar’s Cable Protection Systems for Dogger Bank A Delivered

Tekmar Group has completed its role in the Dogger Bank A offshore wind farm by supplying essential cable protection systems (CPS) for the project’s inter-array cables.

This month, Dogger Bank A, the first phase of the UK’s 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm, achieved a significant milestone with the installation of all inter-array cables at the site.

Over 328 kilometres of 66 kV inter-array cables, manufactured by Hellenic Cables, were laid by DEME Offshore’s Viking Neptun, with burial works being completed by the company’s Living Stone Vessel.

This network of 95 cables, some stretching up to 8.6 miles, links Dogger Bank A’s 95 Haliade-X 13 MW turbines to the offshore converter station. From there, electricity is converted to direct current and transmitted to the onshore converter station via an advanced HVDC system.

The successful installation followed extensive underwater surveys to secure a clear cable-laying corridor, said Tekmar.

The UK-headquartered company provided the essential cable protection systems which are said to be crucial for shielding the inter-array cables from physical damage, ensuring their reliability and longevity.

Furthermore, Tekmar Group’s business unit, RYDER, supported the dynamic analysis and geotechnical design for the project. The work ensured that the cables were optimally installed and protected, taking into account the challenging offshore conditions, said Tekmar.

“This work underscores our confidence in our technical capabilities and our commitment to delivering high-quality solutions in offshore engineering. RYDER’s offshore engineering consultancy services are designed to ensure the success and integrity of such ambitious projects. We are excited to see the successful implementation of our designs and look forward to contributing to future phases,” said Fraser Gibson, Managing Director of RYDER.

In 2021, DEME contracted Tekmar to supply Generation 10 TekTube CPS to protect subsea inter-array cables on the first two phases of the wind farm. A year later, the company was also awarded another contract for the third phase, Dogger Bank C.

All systems will be manufactured at Tekmar’s facility in the North East of England which is located less than 50 kilometres from Dogger Bank’s export cable landfall site in Teesside.

The offshore construction of additional components at Dogger Bank A is also progressing. This month, the project achieved another milestone with the installation of 27 out of the planned 95 GE Haliade-X 13 MW wind turbines.