Seaway7 completes first cable installation at Hornsea 3

Seaway7 has marked the installation of the first inter-array cable at the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. The project, developed by Ørsted, involves the transport and installation of more than 536 km of 66 kV cables designed to connect wind turbines to offshore converter stations. Seaway7 secured the contract in 2024, which covers 192 cables for the 2.9 GW development. This engagement represents the seventh wind project the company has undertaken with Ørsted, following previous work on the Hornsea 1 and 2 programmes.

The broader construction effort is progressing with initial equipment now on site at Able Seaton Port. These components include blades, nacelles and towers, with the towers measuring approximately 130 metres on assembly and the blades reaching 115 metres in length. Siemens Gamesa delivered the first turbine components in July, some of which were manufactured in Hull. The project utilises 197 SG 14-236 DD turbines, each capable of generating 14 MW. Installation activities are being supported by the Norse Energi jack-up vessel from DEME Group, which arrived at the end of October, while Cadeler’s Wind Ally and Wind Orca are responsible for installing the foundations.

Corporate developments surrounding the project continue to evolve. Stuart Fitzgerald, who was CEO of Seaway7 at the time of the contract award, has left the company to become CEO of its parent, Subsea7. Subsea7 is currently in the process of combining with Saipem to create Saipem7, a deal that received approval from the Brazilian anti-competitiveness tribunal last week. As part of this regulatory process, the companies agreed to sell the Seven Borealis pipelay and heavy lift vessel. Additionally, Subsea7 announced on 5 November that it has struck a deal to sell Seaway7 to Abu Dhabi-based HEA Energy. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2027 and will trigger a special dividend to shareholders, although the specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Seaway7 currently operates six semi-submersible heavy transportation vessels, one of which is chartered from a third party.