The UXO campaign is large and complex. Over 200 employees will be working on it during the execution phase. This is ensures that all varieties of techniques and activities, needed to install the cable at different locations, are safeguarded. The offshore grid connection with a total length of over 60 kilometres, consists of four 220 kV subsea cables with a capacity of 350 MW each. They will bring the generated offshore wind energy ashore. The cables run from TenneT's two offshore platforms in the Borssele Wind Farm area, to the high-voltage substation in Borssele, in the south-west of the Netherlands, via the Western Scheldt estuary.
Marco Kuijpers, Senior Manager Offshore Netherlands at TenneT: ‘The survey and identification campaign is an important part of the preparations for the installation of the cables of the Borssele offshore grid, which needs to be operational in 2020. TenneT is moving steadily towards realization of the Dutch offshore grid system, consisting of five standardised 700 megawatt grid connection systems, in 2023. This is a significant contribution to the realization of the Dutch renewable energy ambitions, as laid down in the National Energy Agreement.’
Fugro and Boskalis will be responsible for the specialised survey and identification work in relation to cable routes for the planned grid connection. “Our project team will deliver the benefits of a strong and reliable turnkey UXO identification solution,” said Gertjan Paff, Fugro’s Regional Project Director for Europe. “By integrating vessels and in-house developed innovative systems , Fugro and Boskalis have successfully executed similar marine site characterisation projects in recent years.”
The Borssele grid connection consists of two platforms with a capacity of 700 MW each. They are scheduled for completion in 2019 and 2020. TenneT has been officially designated as the offshore grid operator in the Netherlands, and will contribute to fulfilment of the National Energy Agreement by developing offshore grid connections with a total capacity of at least 3,500 MW during the period until 2023. These connections will be constructed in accordance with a standardized concept.
