Japan: Cable Connector for World’s Largest Floating Wind Turbine

In this latest phase of the project, the connector will be used to connect 22kV cable to a 7MW wind turbine – the world’s largest floating wind turbine.

So far First Subsea has provided all the cable connectors for both 22kV and 66 kV cables on the Fukushima project.  In Phase 1, two First Subsea cable connectors were used to connect 22kV cable to a 2MW wind turbine and a floating substation, and a third cable connector for a 66kV cable connection to the substation. In Phase 2, cable connectors were used for two 22kV cables from the substation to subsea cable joints close to the eventual positioning of the wind turbines in Phases 3 and 4.

In Phase 3, the First Subsea cable connector will complete the connection of the subsea cable joint to the 7MW floating wind turbine.

Ease of Installation

The First Subsea cable connector has a self-activating, ball and taper mechanism allowing both diverless and ROVless deployment offshore. The male connectors are guided into receptacles on the wind turbine and substation and, once engaged, cannot be released until the load has been removed. A simple disengage mechanism allows the connector to be disconnected and recovered for re-use. The cable connection enables significant savings in vessel time, and greater installation flexibility to cope with changes in weather conditions offshore.

Focus on Renewable Energy

The Fukushima floating pilot wind farm project, which is headed up by The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan, will lay the foundation for the world’s largest offshore wind development off the coast of the Fukushima Prefecture.

The project is sponsored by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.