WindFloat Atlantic, a 25 megawatt (MW) floating wind farm to be installed off the coast of Portugal, is expected to demonstrate the viability of Floating Offshore Wind (FOW) technology that holds the key to an inexhaustible resource potential in Europe. It will be the world’s first large-scale commercial FOW project operating at 66 kilovolt (kV) for which Nexans will supply pre-terminated and factory-tested turbine cables as well as the full scope of T-connectors terminating the dynamic inter-array cables, the company said in its release.
WindEurope, an association promoting the use of wind power in Europe, reports that in European seas 80 percent of all the offshore wind resource is located in waters 60 meters and deeper, where traditional bottom-fixed turbines are currently not economically attractive. This is where the floating offshore wind technology could become a viable solution, allowing operators to tap into areas far from shore with much higher and more consistent wind speeds. To harness this potential, Principle Power is developing the WindFloat Attantic project 20 kilometers off the north-west coast of Portugal in water depths of 100 metres. The project is designed to supply enough energy to meet the needs of 16,000 housholds.
The WindFloat Atlantic project, due online in 2019, will feature three MHI Vestas V164-8.4 MW turbines installed on ballasted, triangular, semi-submersible foundations. The project will run at 66 kV and, as one of the leaders in 66 kV cable technology for renewable energy projects, Nexans has been selected to supply its WINDLINK® pre-terminated factory-tested cable system which provides a flexible connection inside the turbine between the transformer and switchgear.
In addition, JDR has selected Nexans to supply the 66 kV T-connectors that will provide the connection for the phase cores of the dynamic 66 kV floating wind inter-array cables that JDR is supplying. Allowing access to the cable conductor, Nexans’ cutting-edge outer-cone technology facilitates the inter-array post-installation tests. The robust EPDM material of the accessories provides strong resistance to rough offshore conditions.
The outer-cone T-connectors for the WindFloat Atlantic project are delivered by Nexans Euromold facility in Erembodegem and Nexans Power Accessories Germany GmbH plant in Hof. The WINDLINK® HV flexible turbine cables are supplied by Nexans Germany plant in Mönchengladbach. The turbine cables and accessories are assembled and tested by Nexans Power Accessories Germany GmbH plant in Hof.