Block Island Wind Farm Cables in Place

Installation of cables for America’s first offshore wind farm, the Block Island Wind Farm, has been completed, Deepwater Wind informed.

The Big Max cable lay vessel, under a contract with LS Cable and its subcontractor Durocher Marine, finalized the installation of all cables, including the four inter-array cables connecting the five wind turbine foundations and the export cable connecting the wind farm to a new substation on Block Island.

In addition, National Grid completed the installation of the sea-to-shore submarine cable between Block Island and mainland Rhode Island in June.

Deepwater Wind also announced that the final stage of the construction of the Block Island Wind Farm will start soon.

Installation of the wind farm’s turbine towers, blades and nacelles is scheduled to begin in early August at the project site.

Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski said: “We’re ready to bring this historic project across the finish line. This is sure to be a momentous summer – not just for this project, but also for the start of a new American industry.”

The final construction phase, offshore turbine installation by Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s Brave Tern and the two Montco liftboats, will last roughly one month and is expected to be completed by early September, the company said.

Commissioning of the trubines, to be conducted by GE technicians, will start during offshore installation and will take several months. Following the completion of the commissioning the wind farm will start commercial operations.

Subsea World News Staff