Wind

Orsted-Eversource reels out first cable framework job to Nexans for Revolution off US

Developer joint venture assigns contractor to install export lines for 704MW project that will deliver power to states of Connecticut and Rhode Island starting in 2025

Nexans' Aurora cable lay vessel
Nexans' Aurora cable lay vesselFoto: Nexans

Developer joint venture (JV) Orsted and Eversource have assigned Nexans to install the power export line for the US’ giant Revolution wind farm, the cabling contractor’s first job under a previously inked frame agreement with the JV in the emerging offshore play.

The export line, to be laid by Nexan’s recently launched Aurora vessel, will link the 704MW project to the Connecticut grid, supplying clean energy to an estimated 350,00 homes in the state as well as neighbouring Rhode Island.

“We are committed for the long term in the US offshore wind industry and look forward to pursuing our partnership with Orsted and Eversource on this historic project,” said Nexans’ executive vice president for subsea & land systems, Ragnhild Katteland.

“We have made the strategic investments to scale our US operations and deliver high voltage subsea cables that are manufactured and installed in America,” she added.

The Revolution deal leads off a framework agreement for up-to-1,000km of high voltage underwater cables signed in 2019. Construction of the wind farm will start in 2023 and is slated to be fully operational in 2025.

Located 15 miles (24km) of Rhode Island and 32 miles off Connecticut, Revolution is calculated capable of displacing close to 1 million tonnes of carbon pollution – the equivalent to taking more than 210,000 cars off the road, according to Nexans.

The Aurora, sailed out in 2021 for installation of high voltage direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC) cables down to water depths of 2,000 metres and deeper, has a 10,000-tonne payload capacity.
Nexans in January won a contract from the Orsted-Eversource JV to manufacture subsea lines for the 132MW South Fork wind project off the state New York.
In November, Nexans completed a $200m expansion of its cable factory in Charleston, the only facility in the US with the manufacturing capability to deliver up to 525kV HVDC and 400kV HVAC subsea cables.
The US offshore wind sector is aiming to reach the Biden administration’s goal of having 30GW of capacity turning by 2030, underpinning development of a supply chain expected to by American Clean Power Association to grow to a market value of $120bn.
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Published 10 March 2022, 18:56Updated 10 March 2022, 22:00
NexansOrstedEversourceUS AtlanticConnecticut