Global Marine Energy Expands Offshore Power Cable Capability

Chelmsford UK - Global Marine Energy Ltd. has invested in the refit and development of Cable Enterprise, a barge built specifically for the installation of power cables for offshore wind farms.

Cable Enterprise, which will be officially launched in Middlesbrough in the North East of England, will be used for a range of offshore installation projects, including export cables and interconnect cables. The increase in offshore electricity transmission has triggered a need for vessels which are designed to adapt to the specific requirements of offshore wind farms and their accompanying conditions and challenges.

“Due to the increased demand for offshore power cable installation, the need for purpose-built assets and the expertise to operate them is growing,” said Mark Leggett, CEO of Global Marine Energy. “As a result, we are looking to expand our resources and facilities in the UK, and we see Cable Enterprise as a major first step in this process. Such investment will further strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in the renewables industry, as well as support the further growth of the UK marine industry."

The Cable Enterprise’s first project will be to lay the export cable for Gwynt y Môr, located off the Welsh coast. Gwynt y Môr is one of the largest offshore wind farms currently in construction, and is being built by RWE npower renewables. When complete, energy generation from Gwynt y Môr is expected to be equivalent to the average annual needs of around 400,000 homes.

Global Marine has invested £25 million on updating the barge and a further £3 million on new equipment, including a plough capable of burial up to 3 meters, making it ideal for deploying a variety of cables, including HVAC and HVDC systems. Cable Enterprise is equipped with a 4,000 ton carousel, 6- point mooring system and a single drum winch with pulling force of 18 tons.