DEME completes Elia’s Modular Offshore Grid subsea export cable installation well ahead of schedule

DEME says it has successfully completed the installation of 85 km of subsea export cable for Elia’s Modular Offshore Grid, deploying the state-of-the-art cable installation vessel ‘Living Stone’. The cable connects Elia’s Offshore Switch Yard to the shore station Stevin at Zeebrugge, as well as the Rentel wind farm Offshore Substation.

‘Living Stone’ collected the cable at the manufacturer Hellenic Cable in Greece , transported it to the site in Belgium and performed a flawless cable installation, offshore jointing and four pull-ins. With the innovative cable installation system on board of ‘Living Stone’, works have been completed in record time and well ahead of schedule. The unique dual-lane cable installation system, consisting of two cable highways - can install one cable while the next cable can be simultaneously prepared on deck, including the installation of the cable protection system (CPS).

 “This is again a very successful job executed by the ‘Living Stone’. It was great to see all plans worked out without any set back,” says Marco Kanaar, Project Director at DEME Offshore. “Usually with a new, complex vessel such as the ‘Living Stone’ you might expect some teething problems, however it was great to see that our crew had already ironed out any potential issues beforehand. Definitely the great team spirit between our marine crew and project team and certainly the constructive approach from our client Elia have been instrumental to the success.”

“The MOG plays an essential role in the transition towards more renewable energy. We are especially proud that Elia can act as a pioneer in this regard,” says Tom Pietercil, Project Director at Elia. “The project has been completed in record time: the first agreements were made with the authorities in March 2016, and the MOG will be operational this September. This is the result of good cooperation between all partners in the project.”  

“It is a great pleasure to confirm the safe and fast completion of another project ahead of schedule,” says Hugo Bouvy, Managing Director of DEME Offshore. "The offshore crew of the ‘Living Stone’ as well as our dedicated project team have provided high quality services and workmanship. This significant achievement once again demonstrates DEME Offshore’s expertise in engineering and execution of cable lay projects. It definitely marks our continued growth in what DEME Offshore recognises as a crucial market for the world’s future energy needs."

The Belgian Modular Offshore Grid submarine power cable  project was awarded in August 2017. DEME also deployed the newest trailing suction hopper dredger ‘Bonny River’ on the project to backfill 45 km of trenches.

About DEME
The Belgian dredging, marine engineering and environmental group DEME is a global solutions provider specialising in dredging works and land reclamation, offshore marine engineering projects, service provision to oil and gas companies, the installation of offshore wind farms, environmental activities such as soil remediation and sludge recycling, redevelopment of brownfield sites and wreck salvage. DEME owns and operates state-of-the-art fleet of 100 vessels for dredging and marine engineering works. DEME employs 5,200 highly skilled professionals across the globe. In 2018 DEME reported a turnover of 2.65 billion euros.