The final batch of the inter-array cables for Ecowende’s Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm was loaded onto Van Oord’s cable-laying vessel (CLV) Nexus in Eemshaven on 15 May, according to TKF (Twentsche Kabelfabriek).
Under the contract for the 760 MW offshore wind farm, TKF is responsible for the development, production and delivery of inter-array cable and connectivity solutions to distribute the generated power from the 52 offshore wind turbines towards the TenneT substation .
The cables have a reduced environmental footprint, as they do not contain lead or bitumen that can be harmful to the environment, TKF said via social media .
This is in line with the plans of the Ecowende joint venture (Shell, Eneco, and Chubu Electric Power), which says its project is “the most ecological wind farm yet” , with several environmentally friendly and nature-inclusive solutions used during construction and integrated into the wind farm itself.
Van Oord, the project’s main contractor, began offshore construction at the Hollandse Kust West VI site in September last year.
The offshore wind farm, located approximately 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden, will comprise 52 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines.
Van Oord completed the installation of the 52 monopile foundations, produced by Sif and Smulders, this spring.
The 760 MW Hollandse Kust West VI is expected to be operational by the end of 2026 and to supply roughly 3 per cent of the Netherlands’ current electricity demand.