DeepOcean has completed installation and testing of all inter-array cables at the Nordseecluster A offshore wind farm in Germany.
The scope included project management, engineering, cable protection systems, offshore preparation, burial assessments, pre-installation cable route surveys, foundation and offshore substation preparation, cable transport and installation, cable pull-in, burial works, seabed surveys and monitoring.
Cable-laying began in January 2026. Between January and April, DeepOcean installed 48 inter-array cables in challenging offshore weather conditions. Termination and testing activities have now been completed.
The campaign used four vessels, including DeepOcean’s chartered multi-role subsea construction vessel Olympic Ares and subsea construction vessel M/S Volantis, supported by two walk-to-work vessels. Seabed survey services were carried out by another vessel from DeepOcean’s fleet.
Cable-laying was conducted from Olympic Ares, which was modified with a carousel and lay spread for the project. The flexible lay spread can be rapidly deployed and installed on other vessels in DeepOcean’s fleet.
Subsea trenching and burial were carried out from M/S Volantis using DeepOcean’s UT-1 jet trenching system. The 2,800 hp trencher can support subsea trenching for cables and pipelines up to 1.2 m in diameter, trench installations to depths exceeding 3 m, and operate in water depths of up to 2,500 m.
Mitchell Pike, Executive Vice President for DeepOcean’s offshore renewables division, said the project demonstrated the company’s ability to deliver turnkey transport and installation solutions through adaptable cable-laying and trenching vessels.
DeepOcean managed the project from Aberdeen, with support from its Norwegian offices in Haugesund and Oslo.
Chief Executive Officer Øyvind Mikaelsen said the campaign involved four vessels and more than 200 people across DeepOcean and its partners, with the schedule coordinated safely and robustly. He also thanked RWE for entrusting the company with the work.
Nordseecluster A is the first phase of the 1.6 GW Nordseecluster project. It will comprise 44 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines and deliver 660 MW of installed capacity once fully commissioned in early 2027.
RWE owns the wind farm together with Norges Bank Investment Management.
