Subsea power cables and umbilical manufacturer JDR has been selected by US Wind Inc., as the preferred cable partner for its first offshore wind project.
The project is the 750MW Maryland Development project. Expected to be the largest offshore wind farm to date in the USA, the Maryland Development project will include a maximum of 187 turbines in up to 30m water depth, and will be 24km (15mi) off the coast. The project is subject to offshore renewable energy credit in 2017 and final investment decision in 2018. JDR will supply and install both inter-array and export cables.
JDR’s scope of supply for the Maryland Development Project includes project management, engineering and manufacture of 196km (122mi) of inter-array cable, 180km (112mi) of export cable (split into three lengths) and cable accessories. Cable installation for both inter-array, export cables and termination and testing of both cable types will also be provided by JDR. Cable manufacture is expected to commence in 2018 with delivery and installation in 2019 and 2020. Engineering works will begin in 2017. The contract is worth more than US$275 million.
“The USA is a growing market opportunity and of strategic importance for the offshore renewable industry. This contract award demonstrates customer confidence in JDR as the leading cable partner of choice,” says JDR CEO, David Currie.
To support the project, JDR will establish a storage and mobilization facility in Maryland. The company will also open a project management and engineering office base.
Paul Rich, Director of Project Development for US Wind Inc. says: “US Wind is proud to be a local, Maryland-based company bringing a new industry to the state along with thousands of manufacturing jobs for generations, as we establish the hub for offshore wind manufacturing for the entire east coast of the US."