Prysmian to provide cables for Sofia wind farm offshore the UK

Prysmian Group has signed a preferred bidder agreement with RWE Renewables for the turn-key high voltage submarine and land export cable connection for the Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK.

The finalisation of the contract is subject to final negotiations and the final investment decision by RWE.

With the contract signature and notice to proceed both expected in 1Q 2021, Prysmian will be responsible for the design, supply, installation, and commissioning of an HVDC symmetrical monopole cable system which will connect Sofia’s offshore converter station with the onshore converter station in Teesside.

The project involves more than 440 km (273 miles) of ±320 kV submarine export cables with XLPE insulation, and 15 km of ±320 kV land cables with P-Laser insulation.

The company will produce the submarine cables in Pikkala, Finland, while the land cables will be manufactured at the Gron plant in France.

The company’s new cable laying vessel Leonardo da Vinci will perform the offshore operations. Commissioning of the project is scheduled for late 2024.

Located 195 km (121 miles) off the UK’s north-east coast, the 1.4-GW Sofia offshore wind farm, sited on the shallow central area of the North Sea known as Dogger Bank, is RWE Renewables’ largest single offshore wind project under development so far, as well as the farthest from shore.

Once Sofia becomes operational in 2025, it is expected to power more than 1.2 million homes.

Source: Offshore Magazine