Ocean services provider, DeepOcean, has secured a definitive contract for RWE’s Nordseecluster A offshore wind project in Germany.
DeepOcean’s responsibilities encompass the trenching, transportation, and installation of all inter-array cables, along with associated services, for the entire array of Nordseecluster A wind turbines.
Nordseecluster Development Phases
RWE has recently finalized the investment decision for its comprehensive Nordseecluster project, comprising offshore wind initiatives with a combined capacity of 1.6 GW.
The Nordseecluster will be developed in two distinct phases: Nordseecluster A and Nordseecluster B. The wind farms are slated for construction in the German North Sea, situated approximately 50 kilometers north of the island of Juist.
DeepOcean’s Preferred Supplier Status
In August 2023, RWE announced the selection of DeepOcean as its preferred supplier for subsea installation services for Nordseecluster A. This marked a significant step in the project’s advancement.
DeepOcean has now received a firm order that encompasses preparatory work, transportation, and installation of all inter-array cables, including trenching, topside pull-ins, and terminations for the initial construction phase.
In total, DeepOcean will install 185 kilometers of 66 kV aluminum and copper cables to connect all 44 offshore wind turbines within Nordseecluster A.
CEO’s Remarks
Øyvind Mikaelsen, CEO of DeepOcean, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We are excited to mobilize a comprehensive team of engineers, project managers, and execution specialists to support RWE in this vital offshore wind development, which will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of European industry.
RWE is a global leader in offshore wind, and this substantial contract award will leverage a broad spectrum of our expertise.”
Nordseecluster A’s Capacity and Timeline
Nordseecluster A boasts a total capacity of 660 MW. Construction at sea is scheduled to commence next year, with all wind turbines expected to be connected to the grid by the beginning of 2027.
The second phase, Nordseecluster B, will augment the capacity by an additional 900 MW, with commercial operation projected to start in early 2029.
DeepOcean’s comprehensive scope of work extends beyond cable installation. It encompasses project management and engineering, offshore preparation including pre-installation cable route surveys, route engineering, burial assessment, boulder relocation, foundation and offshore substation preparatory work, inter-array cable transportation and installation, including burial, pull-in, monitoring, and testing, as well as seabed surveys and monitoring.
Project Management and Vessel Utilization
Project management will be based in Aberdeen, with additional support provided across DeepOcean’s UK and Norway offices. Offshore preparations and pre-installation surveys are set to commence in the second quarter of 2025, with the main work beginning in early 2026. DeepOcean will deploy three vessels to execute this extensive project.