Seaway7 has installed the first inter-array cable at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the UK North Sea, beginning its offshore cable installation campaign at the 2.9 GW project.
The company confirmed the installation in a LinkedIn update, stating that its scope covers the transportation and installation of more than 536 km of 66 kV inter-array cables. The cables will connect the wind turbines to the project’s two offshore converter stations.
The installation campaign involves the cable-laying vessel Seaway Phoenix and the installation support vessel Seaway Moxie, according to Seaway7’s official project information.
Ørsted awarded the transportation and installation contract to Seaway7 in October 2024. The work forms part of the construction of Hornsea 3, which is located approximately 120–160 km off the Yorkshire and Norfolk coasts and will comprise 197 offshore wind turbines.
According to OffshoreWind.biz, Hellenic Cables and Prysmian are supplying the inter-array cables, while JDR Cable Systems is responsible for cable testing and termination.
The installation follows preparations reported in October, when Seaway Phoenix was loading cables at Eemshaven in the Netherlands ahead of its planned deployment to the wind farm. Seaway Moxie was also preparing to mobilise for the offshore work.
Hornsea 3’s two offshore converter stations were installed earlier this year. In September, Heerema Marine Contractors completed installation of the second station using its semi-submersible crane vessel Sleipnir, as previously reported by HMT News.
The latest campaign continues Seaway7‘s involvement in the Hornsea offshore wind developments. The company previously transported and installed approximately 170 km of inter-array cables at Hornsea 1 and 382 km at Hornsea 2.
Seaway7 is now undertaking the inter-array cable installation programme for the third project in the Hornsea zone, with its installation vessels assigned to connect the wind turbines to the offshore transmission infrastructure.
