Seaway7 has selected US-based Helix Robotics Solutions, a division of Helix Energy Solutions Group, for inter-array cables at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore wind farm.
The project, situated 120km offshore Norfolk, will commence contract work in the third quarter of 2026 and take more than 300 days.
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Helix Robotics Solutions will deploy the Grand Canyon III trenching support vessel, equipped with the i-Trencher T1500 jet system.
A work-class remotely operated vehicle and associated survey services will also be utilised under the contract, which comprises the burial of 192 inter-array cables spanning 500km in length.
Helix will manage the project from its office in Aberdeen, Scotland, providing engineering and survey support.
Helix executive vice-president and chief operating officer Scotty Sparks stated: “Helix is a global leader in subsea robotics and trenching, and we are proud to bring our expertise to the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm project.
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By GlobalData“This contract with Seaway7, one of the largest trenching awards to Helix, highlights our commitment to supporting offshore wind development and expanding Helix’s offshore renewables activity.”
In October 2024, Seaway7 secured a contract for the transport and installation of inter-array cables at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 project.
The contract was for laying 66kV cables between the wind turbines and the two offshore converter stations – a distance similar to that between London and Edinburgh.
In December 2024, Ørsted also announced contracts valued between £75m ($93m) and £100m with UK companies JDR Cable Systems and Severfield and Smulders for Hornsea 3.
These companies are responsible for manufacturing crucial components and offering services for the wind farm.
Severfield and Smulders are set to provide a substantial part of the secondary structures for the foundations, including suspended internal platforms, boat landings and anode cages to protect against corrosion.
Hornsea 3 is expected to generate 2.9GW of green energy, sufficient to power three million UK homes.
In November 2024, Ørsted unveiled plans to sell a 50% stake in the £8.5bn Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm, which will consist of 231 wind turbines across a 696km² area.
The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to increase divestments following the turnaround plan led by CEO Mads Nipper.
