Nexans Bags 100 Million Euro Power Cable Contract for the London Array Wind Farm Project

A contract valued at about 100 million Euros was won by Nexans, the global leader in the cable industry. Through this contract Nexans was given the task to design, manufacture and supply high voltage subsea power export cables that will be used to connect the London Array wind farm to the UK grid. The London Array wind farm is being installed on a 233 km2 site that is located 20 km away from the UK coast in the Thames Estuary. 

Construction of the London Array wind farm is being carried out in two stages. The first stage consisting of 175 turbines and 630 megawatts is scheduled for completion in the year 2012 and will commence its operation in the same year. After the second stage is completed in the future, the total capacity of the wind farm will be 1,000 megawatts, which is enough to supply sufficient power for almost 750,000 UK homes.

Four 150 kV XLPE submarine power cables are to be designed, manufactured and supplied as part of the power export cable contract. Each of these cables is 53 to 54 km in length and they are to be laid in parallel with each other. Two cables will be delivered in the year 2011 and the remaining two cables in the year 2012. These four cables will be delivered from Nexans’ factory in Hayden. Fiber optic elements from the Nexans’ factory in Rognan, Norway will also be incorporated in these four cables. Supply of cable accessories such as terminations and repair joints are included in the contract.