First Subsea has won a contract to supply cable protection systems (CPS) for Dong Energy’s 1.2GW Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm in the UK.
The order for 151 CPS units marks the first major UK contract in renewables for First Subsea
It will allow the Lancashire firm to diversify its business amid dwindling sales encountered by it of late in the oil industry.
Hornsea Project One programme director Duncan Clark said: "Offshore wind development in the UK is thriving and we're seeing a lot of firms, and also skilled people, diversify from oil and gas into this rapidly growing industry.
“Dong Energy is also an example of this, having been oil and gas focussed for many years we recently announced our intention to sell our oil and gas division, as well as a pledge to be coal-free by 2023.
The contract with Dong Energy comes three years after First Subsea’s securing of government funding to further its patented technology and apply it for the offshore wind sector.
First Subsea managing director John Shaw said: “We recognised the growth of the renewables industry, particularly offshore wind, when we applied for the grant to develop our processes a few years ago. We knew it would be hugely beneficial in the long term if we were able to diversify.
"Delivering on this contract with a global player like Dong Energy will demonstrate our capabilities to the rest of the offshore wind industry, both in the UK and hopefully wider into Europe too.”
The Hornsea Project One, to be built 120km off the Yorkshire Coast, is expected to become the world’s biggest windfarm once commissioned.
The wind farm is expected to generate enough green energy to power more than one million homes in the UK.
Hornsea Project One, which is expected to start services in 2020, is part of the Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm zone that has a maximum capacity of 4GW.
Image: L-R: Duncan Clarke with John Shaw. Photo: courtesy of DONG Energy Hornsea Project One (UK) Ltd.