Package deal

and

have been awarded a total of €87m (£69m) to provide the electrical package for the 300MW Thanet offshore wind park.

The Thanet wind farm will be constructed approximately 11km off the coast of Kent. With 100 turbines rated at 3MW each, Thanet is expected to be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it is completed in October 2009.

Siemens will provide the onshore and offshore substations, while Prysmian will develop the connections between the wind turbines.

In addition, Prysmian will design and install 55km of 132kV cable links to the UK’s power grid. The cables are to be manufactured in Arco Felice, Italy, and will be delivered in March 2009.

The Thanet contract follows a number of major projects secured by Prysmian, including the Greater Gabbard and Gunfleet Sands offshore wind parks in the UK.

According to Prysmian, the deal proves the competitive position it has reached within the rapidly growing renewable energy sector.

Prysmian says it is planning to increase its production capacity of submarine cables by 50 per cent by the end of this year to further strenghten its position and meet demands.