As offshore wind projects scale across Europe and beyond, the industry is pushing boundaries in technology, geography, and ambition. Turbines are larger, sites are further offshore, and grids are more interconnected than ever. Yet, beneath this visible progress lies a growing infrastructure challenge: cabling. Both onshore and offshore, cable systems are becoming one of the most complex and risk-sensitive components in wind energy delivery.
Onken Offshore Contractors GmbH has spent the past year expanding its capacity to meet these escalating demands. This isn't just growth for growth's sake; it's a direct response to the critical need for a more integrated and agile cable delivery model in an era of tightening timelines, mounting regulatory pressure, and persistent skills shortages.
Offshore wind infrastructure is evolving, but cable systems have emerged as a distinct pinch point.
When cable systems don't receive the planning priority they deserve, the consequences are severe. A single joint failure can delay commissioning by weeks, requiring costly offshore interventions. Even routine testing lapses can trigger project-wide issues. While rapid response is crucial, the real lesson is that prevention, driven by integration and foresight, is paramount.
Traditionally, cabling work has been fragmented across multiple subcontractors – one for jointing, another for testing, another for documentation. While viable for smaller projects, this model introduces significant interface risks in today's complex landscape.
Onken advocates for a more cohesive, integrated model. By combining key services in-house, the company aims to remove bottlenecks and improve alignment:
This full-lifecycle capability allows for faster decision-making, better quality control, and greater flexibility when project scopes inevitably shift. For developers under pressure, an adaptable, cross-functional team offers a clear advantage. Onken's own expansion, bringing technical and project teams together, reflects this commitment to better coordination and service quality.
The offshore renewables sector faces a well-recognised skills gap, particularly in high-voltage cabling which demands a rare combination of technical expertise, field experience, and certification10.
Onken has tackled this by strategically growing its team (a 193% increase in headcount over the past year) and investing heavily in continuous training and certification pathways11. Staff receive comprehensive training covering:
This commitment ensures teams are not only technically proficient but fully prepared for demanding offshore environments, building long-term sector resilience.
With increasing regulatory and stakeholder scrutiny, robust compliance is non-negotiable. Developers now expect full transparency in quality assurance, safety, and environmental practices throughout the project lifecycle.
Onken embeds compliance from day one, building its operations around internationally recognised standards:
These are integrated systems reinforced through audits, reviews, and training, with a specific focus on high-voltage safety and marine environmental protection. In-house documentation and testing ensure traceability and transparency, reducing project risk for clients.
Experience shows that speed alone isn't enough; certainty of delivery is what truly matter. Onken's approach begins with early engineering engagement to assess needs and identify constraints. During execution, tightly coordinated teams equipped with in-house tools handle installation, testing, and documentation.
The key advantage is responsiveness. With expertise and authority consolidated within the team, adaptations can be made quickly, minimizing delays and maintaining quality without waiting on external contractors. This integrated delivery model is becoming essential for large, complex projects.
To meet growing demand, Onken plans further expansion, supporting projects across the North Sea and other emerging offshore markets, potentially establishing a second operating entity outside Germany. The company is also investing in digital cable services like condition monitoring and predictive diagnostics, aligning with the industry trend towards smarter, data-driven maintenance.
Cabling may be the unseen element of an offshore wind farm, but its criticality cannot be overstated. As the sector scales, the infrastructure connecting it must evolve. The shift towards integrated delivery models, prioritizing compliance, skilled execution, and in-house expertise, reflects a maturing industry recognizing that the foundations of our renewable future must be stronger than ever.