Installation of 525 kV Subsea Power Cables Commences in Veerse Meer, Netherlands
Dutch Transmission System Operator (TSO) TenneT has begun the installation of 525 kV subsea power cables in the Veerse Meer. The cable supply is being provided by Prysmian, while DEME is responsible for installation. This initiative is part of the offshore grid connections known as IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1, which are intended to transmit electricity generated from future North Sea wind farms to the mainland.
The installation operations in this Zeeland waterway are projected to continue until spring 2027. This project represents TenneT’s inaugural deployment of 525 kV cables within an inland waterway.
Dedicated Pontoon for Cable Installation
DEME has designed a specialized pontoon capable of laying high-voltage cables in the specific conditions of the Veerse Meer. The cables are produced at Prysmian’s manufacturing facility in Finland.
Each grid connection consists of four cables: two operational high-voltage power cables, one spare cable, and one fiber-optic communication cable. The power cables have a diameter of 16 cm and a weight of approximately 67 kg per meter.
The installation technique employs a vertical system to position the cables at the requisite depth. High-pressure water is used to temporarily displace sand beneath the cables, enabling them to be buried at least 3 meters below the lakebed.
As installation progresses, the sand naturally settles back around the cables. TenneT indicates that this method minimizes dredging, reduces water turbidity, and mitigates impacts on aquatic habitats. It also aims to ensure minimal disruption to shipping activities and recreational use of the Veerse Meer.
Connecting Offshore Wind Resources to Borssele
The cable installation is integral to the IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Nederwiek 1 offshore grid projects. The cable routes will reach land at Banjaardstrand near Kamperland, passing beneath the Veerse Gatdam and navigating through the Veerse Meer towards Borssele.
At Borssele, two onshore converter stations are planned to convert the electricity transmitted at 525 kV direct current into 380 kV alternating current for integration into TenneT’s national transmission grid.
Expansion of Offshore Wind Capacity
This cable infrastructure is a component of the Netherlands’ broader initiative to expand its offshore wind capacity. National offshore wind energy generation is anticipated to grow from approximately 4.7 GW to around 22 GW by 2035.
TenneT aims to complete the installation in the Veerse Meer by spring 2027, allowing for the resumption of recreational activities in the waterway without construction-related interruptions during the summer months.
Source: TenneT