JDR Cable Systems is moving closer to completing its £130 million subsea cable manufacturing facility in Northumberland after passing key construction milestones.
Construction on the facility, located in Cambois, near Blyth, began in November last year and JDR said it is on track for completion in 2024.
When complete, it will deliver vital subsea cable manufacturing technology for the offshore wind market, including high and extra-high voltage cables at 132kV and above.
These higher voltage cables will allow for larger wind turbines producing more energy offshore.
JDR progresses facility construction
JDR said it has already poured more than 1700 tonnes of concrete foundations and has so far placed over 150 building pad foundations at the facility.
Builders have erected a substantial portion of the steel frame for the main hall and work has also begun on the roof and cladding works.
In addition, all piling for the foundations of the facility’s vertical lay-up machine and continuous catenary vulcanisation (CCV) towers are now complete.
A total of 250 piles drilled to a depth of 24m below ground level to reach bedrock support the towers and provide essential support for the advanced machinery.
Once operational, the new CCV line will make the facility the only plant in the UK capable of full start-to-finish manufacturing of high voltage subsea cables required for offshore wind farms.
JDR chief strategy and compliance officer James Young said: “”We are proud to contribute to the growth of the renewable energy sector and the UK’s position in offshore wind manufacturing.
© Supplied by JDR Cable Systems“Constructing this first-in-class facility in the UK enhances our ability to produce high-quality, high-voltage subsea cables, that we know will be essential in meeting the demands of not only the offshore renewable energy market, but also the wider needs of the energy sector as we seek to decarbonise our energy system and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.”
171 jobs supported during construction
To minimise the environmental impact of the construction, JDR said it has reused existing foundations from the former Blyth A&B coal power station on site.
The project is also supporting 171 local jobs for the construction phase of the project and JDR said it has also engaged local construction and logistics supply chains through the procurement of steelwork and cladding materials.
Construction of the facility will also secure an estimated 270 jobs at JDR’s existing facilities.
““As a proud UK-based company, it’s vital that we contribute to the local economy of the North East and the UK more widely, supporting local workforces and strengthening our supply chains as we bring our facility online to help to lead the energy transition here in the UK and beyond,” Mr Young said.
JDR, part of Poland’s TFKable Group, received a £14 million grant from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support Scheme (OWMIS) towards the construction of the facility.
In addition, the UK government provided £130 million in financial guarantees under the UK Export Finance export development programme.
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