Van Oord has successfully completed the installation of 109 interarray cables at the Sofia offshore wind farm, located 195 kilometers off the northeast coast of England in the Dogger Bank area. This key work reinforces the move towards a more sustainable energy infrastructure in Europe.
Cable installation with Calypso and Dig-It in offshore operation
The project marked the first operational deployment of the ship Calypsospecially designed for cable laying in complex offshore environments. Equipped with state-of-the-art sustainable systems, Calypso demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the operation. Upon completion of its work in Sofia, the vessel departed for its next destination.
After laying, the burial of more than 360 kilometers of cable was carried out with precision by the Dig-It trencher, deployed from the Subsea Viking. Finally, cable termination and testing was performed from walk-to-work vessels. walk-to-work vesselsThe cable termination and testing was carried out from walk-to-work vessels by specialized Van Oord equipment, ensuring the functionality of the entire network.
A firm step in the energy transition
The Sofia wind farm will have a capacity of 1.4 GW and is expected to supply electricity to more than 1.2 million British homes. It is scheduled to be fully operational by 2026. Van Oord has been in charge of the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the foundations. installation of the foundations and cabling system, consolidating and cabling system, consolidating its strategic role in large-scale renewable energy projects.
Collaboration and technical excellence
Roeland Ris, Van Oord project manager, noted that the success of the project reflects the expertise and commitment of the teams involved. Coordination between multiple vessels, technical teams and process phases allowed for a safe, efficient and on-schedule installation.
The Sofia project represents a key part of the UK’s decarbonization plan. decarbonization plan of the United Kingdomand contributes to the strengthening of the European energy grid based on renewable sources. The completion of the cabling marks a significant technical breakthrough for the offshore sector and an example of large-scale coordinated implementation.
Source and photo: Van Oord
