DEME Secures Major Contract for Princess Elisabeth Island Subsea Cables
June 21, 2024 –DEME, in consortium with Hellenic Cables, has been awarded a substantial contract for the supply and installation of high-voltage subsea cables for Princess Elisabeth Island in the Belgian North Sea. This project, developed by grid operator Elia, marks a world first in the creation of a European high-voltage grid at sea.
The contract encompasses the design, supply, and installation of subsea power cables connecting the energy island to the Belgian onshore electricity grid, covering a distance of 165 km. DEME will deploy its cable installation vessels, trailing suction hopper dredgers, and jack-up vessels for the project. The cables will be manufactured at Hellenic Cables’ factory in Greece, with the transport and installation campaign scheduled for 2027.
According to CEO Luc Vandenbulcke, “Our expertise in cable installation, dredging, rock dumping, and marine infrastructure works, combined with our modern and versatile fleet, offers our customers an efficient, integrated solution.” DEME is currently working on the largest inter-array cabling project for Dogger Bank Wind Farm and has secured major contracts for IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1.
The Princess Elisabeth Island project is a significant milestone in the energy transition, supporting the creation of a European offshore electricity grid. DEME, as part of the Belgian consortium TM EDISON, secured the contract to construct the island in early 2023, with the first caissons scheduled to be immersed this year.
This is the second cable contract awarded by Elia to DEME, following the successful installation of 85 km of export cable for Elia’s Modular Offshore Grid (MOG 1) in 2019.
