Belgian offshore contractor DEME has been awarded a contract to handle the transport and installation of inter-array cables and secondary steel components at RWE and TotalEnergies' 800MW OranjeWind offshore wind farm, located 53 kilometers off the coast of the Netherlands.
The scope of DEME's work includes transporting and installing 114 kilometers of cables, which will connect the 53 foundations to an offshore substation in the North Sea. The project encompasses engineering, preparation, and supporting activities essential for establishing a reliable connection network within the wind farm.
Prior to cable installation, DEME will perform pre-sweeping in areas with significant sand waves to ensure the wires are buried to the required depth. At key locations, such as the offshore substation and crossings of existing assets, the cables will be further stabilized using rock materials. Secondary steelwork will include transporting and installing boat landings, access platforms, and internal platforms on the monopile foundations.
“This latest contract award highlights DEME's ability to provide a comprehensive range of solutions to the offshore wind industry,” said Philip Scheers, General Manager of Subsea Power Cables at DEME. He added that the company's “diverse offshore fleet and specialized equipment” positions it well for successful project execution alongside RWE and TotalEnergies.
DEME plans to start operations in the latter half of 2026, deploying cable installation vessels, a hopper dredger, a fallpipe vessel, and other specialized equipment. This project adds to a series of recent wins for DEME, including two contracts from Prysmian for TenneT's IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1 grid systems and a partnership with Hellenic Cables for high-voltage subsea cables at Princess Elisabeth Island in the Belgian North Sea.
