Navigating the complexities of offshore cabling: the lessons and challenges

Kathy Wood, Divisional Director at GoBe Consultants, part of APEM Group, speaks to PES about the evolving complexities of offshore cabling. From seabed congestion and consenting challenges to the influence of strategic initiatives, she shares crucial lessons learned, emerging risks and the cutting-edge tools developers are using to secure efficient, sustainable grid connections in an increasingly crowded marine environment.

PES: It’s good to talk to you, Kathy. To start, what are the primary challenges developers face when seeking consent for cabling in offshore wind projects?

Kathy Wood: The main challenge for offshore cable consenting is finding space on the increasingly congested seabed. Developers must identify suitable routes between offshore wind farms and onshore grid connection points while minimising interactions with existing seabed infrastructure and users, as well as significant impacts on protected areas and species.

Increasing competition for the seabed, due to pipelines, cables, environmental protection and fishing, requires offshore wind developers to dedicate more time and resources to early cable route selection and design processes. This is essential to avoid significantly impacting overall project timelines and costs.

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