Nexans has been awarded a €115 million contract to supply and install the 67km offshore and 93km onshore power export cable for the 496 MW Saint Brieuc offshore wind farm.
The Saint Brieuc offshore wind farm represents one of the largest investments in wind power in France, and is being built by the Ailes Marines Consortium. The group consists of Spanish utility company Iberdrola, as well as France’s national grid operator, RTE.
The wind farm is located in the English Channel, some 16 km off the coast of Saint Brieuc Bay, and when it’s fully operational it’s expected to generate enough power to meet the daily electricity needs of more than 835,000 homes.
Nexans will play a big role in the project, as it will be supplying the vital cable infrastructure to ensure that the power gets from the offshore wind farm to communities in mainland France.
For the submarine cables, Nexans will supply two lengths of 33.5 km 225 kV 3-core cable with a hybrid armouring solution. The cable also features a fibre optic element for remote health monitoring of the cable link and transmission of information between the offshore wind farm and land base.
The cables will be installed by Nexans’ own cable-laying vessel, the CS Skagerrak, while the specialised Capjet system will be used to trench the cables into the seabed for protection. The awarded contract also includes Inspection, Maintenance and Repair (IMR) services for the offshore part of the link.
The land cables will include 93 km of 225 kV single-core cable, similar to those provided to RTE by Nexans under the current land cables framework agreement.
“This project will be the first offshore connection developed by Nexans for RTE. As such, RTE expects this project to be successful as well as to mark the beginning of a fruitful relationship,” commented Jean Michel Prost, marine activities director at RTE.
Laurent Guillaumin, business development director – Offshore Wind Europe at Nexans, added: “We are delighted to be working with RTE to provide the grid connection for one of France’s most significant offshore wind projects. The key to this success was our long track record in this sector combined with our ability to offer innovative cable solutions.”
Nexans Norway facility in Halden will manufacture the submarine cables, while the land cables will be supplied by Nexans Benelux plant based in Charleroi, Belgium. The fibre optic elements will be supplied by Nexans Norway plant in Rognan. The laying of the submarine cables is due to commence in spring 2022.
