The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, in collaboration with the North East Combined Authority, is allocating GBP 2.1 million (approximately EUR 2.4 million) for a new offshore wind cable testing rig at its Blyth facilities in North East England.
This investment, funded by the North East Combined Authority, will enable ORE Catapult to construct a new high voltage (HV) electrical test facility and equip it with specialized equipment for pre-qualification testing on HV cable systems.
ORE Catapult states that the testing system will apply high voltages and currents to cables, exceeding operational levels in real-world environments. It will test cables under various conditions, such as buried, ducted, and submerged in salt water, to evaluate their capabilities.
The initiative aims to accelerate national production, reduce time to market for new technologies, and enhance cable system reliability, as the UK currently lacks facilities providing this service.
“This development is a crucial step to keep ORE Catapult’s Blyth facility at the forefront of testing, facilitating rapid offshore wind technology growth,” said Alex Neumann, ORE Catapult’s Chief Engineer in HV Electrical.
“Investing in this facility, linked with our existing high voltage, mechanical, and materials test laboratories, enables faster product development for cable system designers and manufacturers. It also encourages local and national supply chain companies to capitalize on the UK offshore wind cable technology market opportunities.”
ORE Catapult will collaborate with cable manufacturing organizations across the UK and globally, with JDR Systems being the first to utilize the facility.
The facility’s opening is planned for the end of 2026.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz