Prysmian to develop submarine power cable links for Hornsea Project Two in the UK

Prysmian Group has been awarded a new contract by Ørsted Wind Power A/S to supply submarine inter-array cables for what will become the world’s biggest offshore wind farm.

Hornsea Project Two, located 89 km off the Yorkshire coast, will be able to supply well over 1.3 million homes with green, renewable electricity once it becomes operational in 2022. Prysmian Group has been focusing on this growing market segment leveraging on its product innovation and new installation assets and capabilities.

Prysmian Group will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, termination and testing of the inter–array submarine cables system that will connect 110 of the 165 wind turbines and the offshore substation platform. The project involves more than 300 km of 66 kV inter-array cables with EPR insulation and single wire armouring systems plus all related accessories.

All the submarine cable cores will be produced at the Group’s centre of excellence located in Wrexham, Wales, UK, while the armouring and assembling process will be performed in Drammen, Norway.

The cables are due to be delivered in 2021.

“We are proud to support Ørsted in this important challenge, providing the UK market with the highest quality cables locally manufactured for the next generation of UK offshore wind farms. The development of grid infrastructures for the transmission and distribution of electric power from renewable sources is of strategic importance. With this contract, we are proving our capability to also offer competitive inter–array cable technology, as well as our undisputed leadership in export cables,” stated Alessandro Panico, Sales Team Manager Offshore Wind, Prysmian Group.

“We are pleased to be working with Prysmian Group, which can boast years of experience and a strong track record of innovating, including the development of high voltage submarine cable solutions. This inward investment is a clear signal of confidence in the continued growth of offshore wind market in the UK,” stated Duncan Clark, Hornsea Projects Programme Director, Ørsted Wind Power A/S.

“Prysmian’s investment is a clear display of confidence in the UK’s flourishing renewable sector, and will contribute to improving quality of life in the UK for generations to come. An investment such as this epitomises exactly the type of work that DIT is doing to deliver jobs and prosperity in communities up and down the country. DIT is able to provide wide-ranging support for investors globally across 108 countries and in all regions of the UK, including expert advice on sector-specific issues such as infrastructure and renewable energy. Through the Invest in GREAT website, prospective investors can find a wealth of information on market opportunities, legal support and much more.” Said Graham Stuart, UK Minister for Investment.

In the product innovation field, Prysmian Group has launched its new EPR-insulated 66 kV inter-array cables that can save up to 15% in costs for offshore wind farms, thus supporting the development and growth of the offshore renewable market and its sustainable supply of energy.

Prysmian Group has been playing a leading role in the development of offshore wind farms in Europe, with a strong track record including the development of high voltage submarine cable solutions for major projects like Borselle III & IV, Merkur, Horns Rev 3 and Wikinger.