Dutch company TKF signed a contract with Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to supply the inter-array cables for the first phase of the Zeevonk offshore wind project in the Netherlands.
The agreement covers approximately 162 kilometers of 66 kV cables to connect the offshore wind turbines of the wind farm. The scope includes design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, supply of accessories, and comprehensive project management.
Likewise, the cables will be manufactured at TKF’s plant in Eemshaven, one of the main industrial hubs linked to the development of offshore wind energy in Europe.
Zeevonk promotes wind power expansion in the North Sea
The Zeevonk project will be developed between 63 and 84 kilometers off the Dutch coast near Bergen aan Zee. The facility is part of the IJmuiden Ver Beta area and has a total capacity of 2 GW.
The first phase will provide 1 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2029 and subsequently, a second stage will add another gigawatt along with energy integration systems and green hydrogen production in the port of Rotterdam.
Vattenfall and CIP won the rights to the project during the 2024 Dutch offshore tender. Since then, both companies have promoted a strategy focused on marine electrification and low-emission energy solutions.
Offshore cables will reduce emissions with recycled materials
One of the most significant aspects of the contract is the sustainable approach applied to the submarine cabling system. The inter-array cables will incorporate low-emission aluminum in addition to recycled steel and copper. The design also eliminates the use of bitumen, a decision aimed at reducing the environmental footprint throughout the product’s life cycle.
Felix Würtenberger, CEO of Zeevonk, noted that inter-array cables represent an essential component for the development of the wind farm and highlighted TKF’s experience in offshore projects along with its commitment to sustainable solutions.
Demand for offshore cables continues to grow in Europe
The expansion of offshore wind energy in Europe is driving new contracts for manufacturers specializing in underwater infrastructure.
In this context, TKF strengthens its presence in the offshore market following the framework agreement signed with Vattenfall in 2023 for the supply of 66 kV inter-array cables intended for fixed-foundation offshore wind farms in Europe.
The evolution of projects like Zeevonk reflects how the offshore industry is integrating criteria of circularity, emissions reduction and advanced electrification to accelerate the energy transition in the North Sea.
Source and photo: TKF via Linkedln