Dong Energy selects UK firms for Race Bank's array cable provision

Deals mark the first time that the company is using UK suppliers for the entire cable provision at one of its offshore wind farms

Dong Energy has placed contracts with three UK companies for the array cables at its Race Bank development, located off the North Norfolk Coast, marking the first time that it is using UK suppliers for the entire cable provision at one of its offshore wind farms.

The cables will be supplied by JDR from its base in Hartlepool, installation of the cables will be undertaken by DeepOcean located in Darlington, and the cable protection system will be supplied by Newton Aycliffe-based company Tekmar.

Brent Cheshire, Dong Energy's UK country chairman, said: "We are very committed to investing in UK suppliers wherever possible, and it's great to see three different UK-based firms contributing to a vital part of our Race Bank offshore wind farm.

"When operational, Race Bank will power over half a million homes every year so it's a significant project. To have the whole array cable system installed and supplied by UK companies is a first for us, and is hugely encouraging for the UK supply chain."

The production of the array cables is now under way and installation is expected to start later this year. The whole array cable system should be completed by mid-2017.