Operator to Handle More Than 350-km of Cables for Empire Wind Projects
DEME Offshore US has won a contract to transport and install more than 350 kilometres of inter-array cables for the utility-scale Empire Wind 1 and 2 offshore wind energy projects off the coast of New York.
The “substantial” contract was awarded by Empire Offshore Wind, a 50:50 joint venture between British energy giant BP and Norwegian major Equinor.
The installation work will be carried out in two phases by DEME’s DP3 cable installation multipurpose vessel, Living Stone. A second DP3 offshore vessel, Viking Neptun, will be added to its 100-strong fleet in this year’s first quarter.
“We are very proud Equinor has awarded DEME Offshore US these two exceptional projects,” said Sid Florey, president of DEME Offshore US, a division of Belgium-based DEME Group.
“DEME’s excellent track record and ability to successfully execute large-scale cable projects safely and efficiently, combined with our robust technical solution for the Empire Wind projects, are the key factors for our success with the award of this contract.”
The 2.1-GW Empire 1 and 2 windfarms, spread across 80,000 acres some 24-48 kilometres southeast of Long Island, is calling for the installation of 130 wind turbines, with first power expected to be delivered in the mid-2020s.
BP and Equinor formed their strategic partnership in late 2020 to develop offshore wind projects in the US, as both firms seek to pivot away from oil and gas towards renewables.
Maersk Supply Service, part of AP Moller-Maersk, last year announced it was building its first dedicated wind turbine installation vessel after securing a contract to install 138 giant Vestas V236-15-MW turbines for Empire 1 and 2.
DEME and BP are members of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network, or BGSN, a worldwide network of companies and executives involved in the engineering, manufacturing and production of project cargo.
TOP PHOTO: DP3 cable installation and multipurpose vessel Living Stone. CREDIT: DEME
