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technical brochure 610
Offshore Generation Cable Connections

Members
C. Jensen, Convenor (DK), T. Kvarts, Secretary (DK), P. Cavaleiro (PT),
L. R.S. Casals / E. Guix (ES), G. Dell’anna (IT), W. Frelin (FR), H. Heo (KR), F. Lesur (FR),
B. Mampaey (BE), S. Meijer (NL), E. Olsen (NO), P. O’Rourke (IE), H. Orton (CA),
R. Wilson (GB), T. Worzyk (SE), R. D. Zhang (DE)

Corresponding members
X. Feng (CN), O. Matsunaga (JP)

Introduction
In recent years the number and size of installed
offshore wind farms have increased rapidly and more and
larger farms are being planned. Other types of offshore
generation are expected to come in the near future, such
as tidal and wave energy generation. Submarine cables are
and will be an essential part of this development where
they are used as array cables between the generators, as
export cables to connect the offshore generation farms
with the onshore transmission grid and even as part of
interconnections between different synchronous systems,
countries or price areas.
Because of this expansion of the industry with many
new developers, operators and decision makers, Cigré
Study Committee B1 (SC B1) recognised the importance
of participating in broadening the understanding and
knowledge of the special challenges related to offshore
cable projects. The Technical Brochure (TB) is a guide for
both experienced professionals, who have worked with
submarine cables (design and/or installation) for years,
and for engineers with no or limited knowledge in this
area. In addition, people working with consenting issues,
authorities, consultants, investors, insurance companies
and other stakeholders will benefit from the overview in •••

Figure 01 - Offshore wind farm

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this TB regarding challenges and possibilities in offshore
cable projects.
Scope
The scope of work presented in this TB includes the
following main items:
• Initial studies and consenting process
• Choice of HVAC or HVDC technology
• Submarine cable characteristics and cable rating
• Cable installation
• Cable service and maintenance
• Export cables and array cables
• Dynamic cables for floating generation or platforms.
Above listed topics regarding submarine cables are treated,
so the document is a comprehensive guide to cables for
offshore generation and submarine cables generally. Many
subjects are covered at a general level, and if the reader wants
to go into detail, there are frequent references to other TBs.
Interconnections between different countries,
synchronous systems or price areas and eventually future
offshore grid solutions can be treated as HVAC or HVDC
export cables.
Description of the TB
The TB covers the main issues to be considered in
the planning, consenting, purchasing, installation and
maintenance process of submarine cable systems.
Chapter 1 is a short introduction to the TB and how it
can be used.
Chapter 2 contains definitions of abbreviations and terms,
which are used in the TB or in the literature about submarine
cables and offshore work.
Chapter 3 describes the initial studies and surveys which
should be performed in an offshore cable project. These
are often necessary when planning the cable routes and
preparing the consenting process. Compared with onshore
activities the offshore work is much more complicated.
The basis in the discussion with authorities, with cable
manufacturers and installation companies is the charts and
offshore surveys of the possible cable routes.
Authorities often require that the sea bed conditions are
studied and documented in order to assess the environmental
impact. The environmental impact should be studied related
to installation work. Often, better knowledge results in
“better conditions” attached to the permission. That is why
surveys are important in the first stage.
Prior to installation of submarine cables it is very
important that there is a thorough knowledge of the seabed
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conditions, e.g. water depth, current, sediment transport,
wrecks and other assets like cables and pipes. To protect the
cables during their whole life time, they are normally buried
into the seabed. The seabed and the soil conditions can be
found through geophysical and geotechnical surveys and
they may determine the burial method. The burial depth is
dependent of the soil conditions and the type of threats to
the cable.
Chapter 4 covers the overall system design, where different
topologies are discussed. One of the important choices to
make is the degree of redundancy. How many connections
from the offshore substation shall be made to the connection
point onshore? What type of connections shall be in the
array grid? What is the right voltage level and what are the
losses in the different solutions? The choice between AC and
DC connection is discussed in this chapter.
The power transmission in export cables from offshore
wind farms is very fluctuating, because the production
follows the fluctuating wind speed. In order not to design
the cables larger than necessary, some guidelines are given,
expressing how to translate an expected wind load into a
load profile for the submarine cable. The load profile can be
used as a basis for rating calculation and used in the cable
design.
Chapter 5 discusses the submarine cable design; in
particular different types of conductors, insulation material,
screen etc. The function of the different layers is explained.
Submarine cables deviate from land cables in more ways.
The submarine cables are normally placed in salt water for
their entire life time. AC submarine cables are normally
three-core cables, where land cables are single-core cables.
The submarine cables may be subject to relatively large
mechanical forces during cable laying and possible later
repair – depending on water depth. The submarine cables
must be designed to withstand these impacts.
In this TB it is shown how MVAC, HVAC or HVDC
submarine cables can be designed. A number of examples
are included and some general recommendations given. The
objective is not to guide the cable designer, but to guide the
purchaser, consultant etc. and give a better understanding of
what to take into account in the design phase.
In Chapter 6 the cable installation is discussed. This
chapter covers the planning process, the engineering of the
installation, the operational management and reporting and
a description of cable laying vessels and equipment.
When assets are installed offshore, the costs are significantly
higher compared to onshore installation and the repair
cost in case of failure can be very high. Therefore it is very
important that all work is well prepared and follows best
practice. Procedures for the different type of work should
be agreed before starting installation or maintenance.•••
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Figure 02 - Installation of HVAC export cable

The TB does not describe specific procedures, but it draws
attention to the actions and procedures that should be made.
Chapter 7 is about testing of submarine cable systems.
This chapter gives an understanding and an overview of tests
relevant for submarine cables and makes references to other
TBs from Cigré and international standards.
Chapter 8 covers the maintenance of submarine
cable systems. Offshore installations are in a very severe
environment and it might be necessary to make surveys
on a regular basis to find out, if the submarine cable and
its accessories are in a good condition and e.g. still at the
required burial depth. Terminations and other equipment
above water can be checked with conventional methods, but
cables buried into the seabed need special equipment.
Chapter 9 deals with submarine cables for offshore
generation other than offshore wind turbines in shallow
water. There is focus on floating generation which demands
the use of dynamic cables. Floating generation can be wind,
wave or tide. Special mechanical requirements to dynamic
cables are discussed in this chapter.
Chapter 13 describes relevant examples and cases about
offshore surveys and submarine cable connections to wind
farms.
Conclusions
The TB gives an overview of the main issues related to
cable projects for connecting offshore power generation.
There is an introduction to geophysical and geotechnical
surveys, which are of great importance for such projects.
System design and cable design are basic elements in offshore
generation projects. Installation and maintenance are
important to understand, to reduce risks and costs during
the engineering phase. The TB has focused on offshore
wind farms, but the principles can also be applied to any
submarine cable connection. Also, there is a separate chapter
describing dynamic cables, which are relevant for floating
applications.
Besides the technical descriptions, many illustrations and
photos have been included to make the TB easy to read and
understand. 

Chapter 10 is a summary of information that should

be provided to companies offering offshore surveys or BROCHURE N° 610
companies offering delivery, installation or burial of
submarine cables. The chapter does not give a complete list (en anglais seulement)
of all possible requirements or all necessary information, (in English only)
but focus on the most basic decisions and information to be
provided in connection with tender processes related to this Disponible sur / Available on:
type of offshore work.

Chapter 11 gives a short summary of the Brochure and www.e-cigre.org

some conclusions.
Prix non-Membres / Non-Member Price:
Chapter 12 is the bibliography, which contains literature
covering more aspects than can be covered in this Brochure. 360 e
In the different chapters of the TB there are references to
Purchase (non-members)
the papers and reports mentioned in the first section of the Free download (members)
bibliography. Other papers, which are mentioned in the
second section of the bibliography, are for further reading.

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