Industry leaders agree best practice to protect offshore wind cables  

In recent years, multiple windfarms have experienced issues with failures of cable protection systems (CPS), which are needed where cables approach the foundations of a wind turbine generator and offshore substation, covering the exposed section where the cable needs to transition from burial in the seabed up to the wind turbine. The performance of a CPS is therefore key for maintaining cable integrity in offshore windfarm installations over the life of the system.

This exposed area can be subject to loading from currents and waves. To ensure the cables can withstand these loads, CPS are typically installed in this area. There are several distinctive designs and suppliers in the industry, with the components combining bend stiffeners, tubular elements, and/or bend restrictors.

The Cable Protection Systems Best Practice Guideline report developed by Wood and OWA focuses on the connections between offshore wind cables and the turbine foundations that can be vulnerable to damage, seeking to address existing challenges and gaps in current CPS standards.

Carbon Trust director Jan Matthiesen said, “This is a fantastic resource for anyone involved in the operation or maintenance of fixed offshore wind developments. 

Consolidating industry knowledge and establishing consistent requirements will enhance the reliability and effectiveness of CPS. It is a welcome addition to the portfolio of industry guidance developed through the OWA, addressing a gap in offshore wind development that has been needed for some time.”

The guidance can be accessed on the Carbon Trust website and establishes best practice for CPS design, to be used by anyone involved in the development and operation of offshore windfarms. It also identifies fundamental ways to improve the safety of CPS and potentially drive down the costs of installing and maintaining cables. 

Wood consultant engineer Conor Murray said the report provides ‘consistent and standardised’ guidelines for CPS system design for all stakeholders involved in developing offshore windfarms.

The project was initiated by a working group of OWA focused on cables, with the Carbon Trust bringing together experts from nine offshore wind developers, including: SSE Renewables Developments (UK) Ltd, Ørsted Wind Power A/S, RWE Offshore Wind, ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Ltd, Equinor ASA, Vattenfall Vindkraft, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, Shell Global Solutions International and TotalEnergies OneTech.