Beyond the cable: supporting offshore wind through integrated installation services
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Beyond the cable: supporting offshore wind through integrated installation services
Europe’s offshore wind sector is entering its next phase of development, bringing larger projects, increasingly complex infrastructure and growing demands on the resources required to deliver them. WindEurope expects Europe to install 151 GW of new wind capacity between 2026 and 2030.
For offshore wind cables, successful delivery extends well beyond manufacturing. Installation, termination, testing and commissioning can all influence how reliably critical cable infrastructure performs throughout its operational life. The Carbon Trust reports that 60% of cable claims relate directly to damage during construction, underscoring the importance of managing cable integrity throughout installation.
At JDR, our renewable market services have evolved in response to these requirements. Having initially provided termination and testing (T&T) for JDR-manufactured cables, our teams now deliver T&T for third-party cable systems, alongside cable pull-ins and broader installation support.
Bringing offshore wind cable installation together
Offshore installation requires people, vessels, equipment and technical activities to align within tight project schedules. Treating each element separately creates additional interfaces for project teams to manage at sea.
An increasingly integrated approach can bring these activities into a more cohesive installation programme. Combining cable pull-ins and T&T, for example, enables teams to progress from pulling cables into transition pieces directly into termination and testing, with greater continuity between critical scopes of work.
JDR is also becoming more closely involved in the planning and coordination of the vessels supporting these activities. Bringing vessel requirements together with personnel and technical execution gives project teams a more complete view of how offshore scopes interact, helping identify constraints earlier and plan resources accordingly.
Our extensive experience as a cable manufacturer, combined with specialist installation expertise, means this support can extend across both JDR and third-party inter-array cables for offshore wind.
Building skills and continuity offshore
Delivering these projects also depends on access to specialist people. Offshore wind has experienced significant competition for competent technicians, making workforce availability an important consideration when planning installation campaigns.
JDR has continued to invest in permanent, in-house technical capability rather than relying solely on the contractor market. Our Services teams include experienced management personnel, high-voltage jointers and fibre-optic technicians, supported by an extensive inventory of specialist T&T equipment.
Maintaining this expertise within the business creates continuity across projects and allows technical knowledge and experience to be retained and transferred between teams. Combined with JDR’s longstanding track record in offshore cable systems, this helps provide customers with consistent technical support as projects progress through installation and commissioning.
Identifying cable issues before operation
Testing is another critical part of managing cable integrity during installation. JDR’s offshore-rated Resonance Test System (RTS) provides advanced commissioning testing designed to identify potential issues during the installation phase, before the cable enters operation. The system can therefore provide project teams with greater information about cable condition at a point when issues can be investigated and addressed.
JDR recently completed the world’s first RTS test incorporating partial discharge measurement, further demonstrating JDR’s technical expertise. This additional diagnostic capability can provide further insight into insulation condition during testing, supporting greater confidence in cable integrity ahead of operation.
Together, specialist personnel, installation expertise and advanced testing provide a more complete approach to managing the critical stages between cable manufacture and operation.
Co-authored by:
Alan Combe, EAMA Services Sales Manager
Brian Davis, General Manager
Christopher Hannay, Offshore Wind Technical Manager
Supporting the next generation of offshore wind projects
These requirements will become increasingly important as offshore wind projects continue to grow in scale and complexity across international markets. JDR’s offshore wind experience spans projects across Europe, Asia and North America, providing a strong foundation for supporting evolving installation requirements as the global market develops.
Through our wider renewables offering, we bring together subsea cable expertise, specialist personnel and installation support across the offshore project lifecycle. The aim is to help project teams coordinate critical cable activities, manage installation challenges and establish the foundations for reliable long-term performance.
As the industry comes together at WindEnergy Hamburg, our team looks forward to discussing how integrated cable installation and testing can support the next generation of offshore wind projects across Europe and beyond.
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