E.ON has contracted VBMS to install two export cables for the 400MW Rampion offshore wind farm in the UK.
The deal requires VBMS to lay and bury two 16 km-long, 150kV HVAC cables that will transport the energy generated by the wind farm to the onshore cable in Brooklands Pleasure Park in Worthing, South East England.
VBMS will use the Stemat Spirit DP2 cable-laying vessel for the work, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of next year.
The wind farm is being built 13km off the Sussex coast in the English Channel. It will feature 116 MHI Vestas V112-3.45MW turbines that are estimated to generate 1,333GWh of renewable energy per year, enough to power about 300,000 homes.
It is expected to reduce 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year across its 25-year lifetime.
The project’s installed capacity will contribute to the UK’s target of achieving 15% of its total energy production from renewable sources by 2020.
Earlier this year, Switzerland-based ABB was contracted to deliver substations and associated power infrastructure for the project.
The UK Green Investment Bank has acquired a £236m stake in the wind farm, which is expected to start operations in 2018.
Image: VBMS will install two 16km long export cables for the Rampion offshore wind farm in the UK. Photo: courtesy of xedos4/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.