Only Connect: how Berwick Bank’s subsea cabling system joins the dots from windfarm to homes
Berwick Bank is set to be the UK’s biggest offshore wind farm. Once complete, the project will produce enough electricity to power over 6 million homes – the total number of Scotland’s households twice over.
How do we transfer energy, which is generated nearly 40km offshore, from the Outer Firth of Forth, onshore to the national electricity grid?
In the latest of our expert series, Tokunbo ‘TK’ Ogundana, Offshore Cables Manager for Berwick Bank Wind Farm tells us how the miles of subsea cabling is the glue that holds the entire project together.
In my role, I am responsible for the design, manufacturing and installation of all offshore cables that are part of the Berwick Bank project. The purpose of these cables is arguably one of the most important components of the project; they transfer electricity generated by the wind turbines to onshore substations that push this energy out to the national grid. Without the cables, we would not be able to provide clean, green energy to power households across the country.
Connecting a nation to green power
The subsea cabling system is a true feat of engineering that requires a host of disciplines to create. To put it simply, we are right at the centre of the project, so our team needs to be in constant engagement with other experts at SSE, from engineering to risk management, Geotech, procurement and health and safety. We must ensure every stage of the project plan is in place and we have reliable assets to carry electricity from the wind farm to the onshore substations.
My work specifically involves engaging with external suppliers and supply chain to find the best design, delivery and installation solutions for the underwater cabling system to meet the project requirements. I am involved with each phase of the project, and currently I am working closely with the team at Phase C at our proposed Northumberland connection. I have also been working very closely with the consents team to provide vital information to support our planning applications to local authorities and governments.
It takes a village
For a wind farm to go from planning to construction is an incredibly lengthy process that can take years. The scale of offshore wind projects like Berwick Bank adds to the complexity of the process, so we need to ensure every miniscule detail is considered, at every stage of the project. We have a huge workforce behind this project and are constantly looking for new talent to take the Berwick Bank project forward and ensure its longevity.
The project brings so much personal fulfilment knowing that I am creating crucial parts of the wind farm that will provide Scotland with its future energy source. I feel incredibly proud to tell my children that Berwick Bank is going to make a difference to their lives. SSE is fully committed to delivering this project and it’s an exciting journey to be on.