Cabling concerns force E.on offshore study

UK: Concern over the effect of cables connecting an offshore wind farm in eastern England has led to E.on Climate and Renewables commissioning an extensive wildlife study.

by Paul Garrett 26 September 2011

A 30km cable route from Easington to Hull is needed to connect the 230MW Humber Gateway wind farm, 8km off the North Sea coast, to the National Grid.

The route crosses wildlife habitats used by otters, water voles, newts, badgers and marsh harriers.

Thomson Ecology will carry out the study for E.on, develop and submit protected species licences and put forward ecological construction method statements aimed at routing the cable to avoid sensitive habitats.

The 77-turbine Humber Gateway project is E.on’s fifth offshore wind farm and is due to begin generating electricity in 2014.

E.on approves 219MW UK offshore project

16 December 2011

UK: E.on has announced it is going ahead with the 219MW Humber Gateway offshore wind farm off the Northeast coast of England.

Planning can reduce high-cost cabling risks

24 November 2011

WORLDWIDE: Considering the overall cost of an offshore wind farm, subsea cabling may represent a relatively small part, but the risk associated with cabling far exceeds its share of the costs. Logistics and equipment failures, damage to the cable itself, problems with installation methods and results that do not comply with regulations all take their toll -- and rack up insurance costs.

Germany leads UK in offshore orders

1 October 2011

GERMANY: German bullishness in the offshore sector and uncertainty about UK energy policy are behind a surge in subsea cable orders from German projects. These now account for 76% of offshore orders, according to Aberdeen-based technology and consultancy services company Enventi.