The developer of the Vineyard Wind offshore windfarm in the US says cable installation for what is the first commercial-scale offshore windfarm in the country has begun
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Renewables said nearshore cable work off the south coast of Cape Cod is also expected to begin in the coming days.
The work is being conducted by Prysmian Group, which recently announced plans to build the first US-based offshore wind subsea cable factory in Somerset, Massachusetts.
Vineyard Wind chief executive Klaus Moeller said, “For a project that has achieved many firsts, the beginning of offshore cable installation is perhaps the most significant we have achieved so far. To get to this point has required an amazing effort by the Vineyard Wind team.”
Prysmian is being supported by Foss Maritime, a US-based, unionized maritime service company. The firm’s vessel Nicole Foss will assist with both the offshore and nearshore work in the coming weeks.
The fully Jones Act-compliant cable installation process permits the use of US and specialized European flagged vessels that work together. The fishing vessel Fleet King, which is being provide by Sea Services, is working alongside Cable Enterprise to ensure good communication with fishermen and other mariners in the area.
In the coming weeks, Vineyard Wind will also begin nearshore work at Covell’s Beach in Barnstable and will also employ fishing vessels to facilitate good communication with other local fisherman.
Cable installation will take place in the fall of 2022 as well as early 2023.
Vineyard Wind, an 800-MW project located 15 miles off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, will begin delivering clean energy to Massachusetts in 2023.
