Seaway7 Begins Cable Installation for Ørsted's Hornsea 3 Wind Farm
The project involves laying 500 kilometers of cables to connect 197 offshore wind turbines.
1Installation Phase Commences
Seaway7 has officially started the installation of inter-array cables at the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm site in the United Kingdom. This critical phase follows five years of intensive preparation and planning. The operation marks a major milestone in the ongoing construction timeline for the massive renewable energy project located offshore.
2Scope of Infrastructure
The project requires the installation of 500 kilometers of subsea cables to establish connectivity. These lines will link 197 individual offshore wind turbines to two specialized offshore converter stations. This infrastructure is essential for transmitting the generated electricity efficiently from the turbines to the onshore grid for final distribution and use.
3Vessel Deployment Strategy
To execute this complex subsea task, Seaway7 has deployed the dedicated cable-laying vessel Seaway Phoenix. Additionally, the walk-to-work vessel Seaway Moxie is providing essential support services throughout the installation process. These specialized ships ensure that the technical requirements for handling heavy subsea cables are met with precision and operational safety.
4Supply Chain Partners
The project utilizes a diverse group of specialized suppliers to manage the cable components. Hellenic and Prysmian were selected as the primary inter-array cable suppliers for the farm. Meanwhile, JDR Cable Systems has been tasked with the critical responsibilities of array cable testing and final termination to ensure system integrity.
5Technological Project Scale
Hornsea 3 represents Ørsted’s first high-voltage direct current (HVDC) project within the European market. It stands as the third gigawatt-scale development in the Hornsea zone, following the successful completion of the 1.2 GW Hornsea 1 and 1.4 GW Hornsea 2 projects. This expansion significantly increases the total capacity of the regional cluster.
6Turbine Specifications
The 2.9 GW offshore wind farm will feature 197 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD offshore wind turbines. These units are designed for high-capacity power generation in challenging marine environments. The integration of these specific turbines is central to the project's ability to meet its ambitious energy output targets upon full operational status.
7Operational Context
The transition to the cable installation phase highlights the shift from initial site preparation to active electrical infrastructure assembly. Managing 500 kilometers of cabling requires precise coordination between the vessel crews and the supply chain partners. This phase is vital for ensuring the long-term reliability of the wind farm's power transmission.
8Strategic Energy Impact
As the third major project in the Hornsea zone, Hornsea 3 reinforces the scale of offshore wind development in the UK. By utilizing HVDC technology, the project aims to optimize energy transmission over long distances. This development continues the trend of scaling up offshore wind capacity to support broader national energy goals.