home

Insight Prysmian Magazine

Sofia offshore wind farm, the first ever offshore wind project for the Leonardo da Vinci cable-laying vessel

Prysmian Group has signed a preferred bidder agreement with RWE Renewables Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, the world’s second biggest offshore wind farm developer, for the development of the turn-key high voltage submarine and land export cable connection worth over €200 million for Sofia Offshore Wind Farm project. The finalization of the contract is subject to final negotiations and to the final investment decision by RWE of the Project.

<p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify; line-height:28px;">Located 195 km from the nearest point on the UK’s North East coast, the 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm, sited on the shallow central area of the North Sea known as Dogger Bank, is RWE Renewables’ largest single offshore wind project under development so far, as well as the farthest from shore. Once it becomes operational in 2025, it will be able to generate enough power to supply over 1.2 million homes with renewable electricity.</p>

Prysmian Group will be responsible for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of an HVDC symmetrical monopole cable system that will connect Sofia’s offshore converter station with the onshore converter station in Teesside. The offshore cable operations will be performed using the Leonardo da Vinci, Prysmian’s new cutting-edge cable laying vessel that is the most capable in the market and is able to offer enhanced project versatility. Contract signature and notice to proceed are expected in Q1 2021. Commissioning of the project is scheduled for late 2024.

Discover more about Leonardo da Vinci here

“We are honoured to support RWE Renewables in this important offshore wind project, providing our state-of-the-art cable technology to support UK’s sustainable energy system towards the country’s net-zero emission target. The development of grid infrastructures for the transmission and distribution of electric power from renewable sources is strategically important, and positions Prysmian as the leading company for the energy transition.”

Hakan Ozmen

EVP Projects BU

Prysmian is very active in Northern Europe, and particularly in the entire Northern Sea region. The Group has extensive expertise in offshore wind farm connections and interconnectors and an extended ability to offer turn-key solutions and services to better serve the growing offshore wind market. Some of the milestone offshore wind farm projects are: Hornsea 2, Wikinger, Ostwind 1, Borssele III & IV, Horns Rev 3, Merkur, BorWin2 & BorWin3, Helwin1 & Helwin2, SylWin1 and DolWin3.

<p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify; line-height:28px;">In recent years, Prysmian Group heavily <strong>invested in products and technologies</strong> to support the <strong>transmission network expansion</strong>, and <strong>P-Laser</strong> — our <strong>100% recyclable and high-performance cable technology</strong> able to reduce CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 40% — is a great example of this. P-Laser is the Group’s solution for the <strong>energy transition.</strong></p>

<p style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align:justify; line-height:28px;">To further strengthen Prysmian commitment towards the energy transition, the Projects BU has launched a new brand strategy able to deliver clear messages to all the Group’s stakeholders and meet the industry’s new challenges. The turn-key <strong>submarine power</strong> and <strong>extra high-voltage underground cable systems</strong> will be branded “<strong>Powerlink. A Brand of the Prysmian Group</strong>”, so as to differentiate them and raise the visibility of one of the Group's businesses with the greatest added value and technological content.</p>