Nexans PacWave South Wave Energy Cable Contract
Nexansย secured the cable contract forย PacWave South, the first U.S. gridโconnected wave energy test facility. The project is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of Oregon, andย Oregon State Universityย to advance testing of innovative marine renewable technologies. PacWave South includes four offshore berths that capture power from ocean waves, and each berth can generate up to 5 MW of energy.
The project marks an important step in the U.S. cleanโenergy transition. It also supports Nexansโ strategy to position itself as a specialist in sustainable electrification and nextโgeneration grid solutions.
Scope of the Nexans PacWave South Wave Energy Cables
RT Casey LLC selected Nexans to design, engineer, and manufacture 36 kV submarine and terrestrial cables for PacWave South. Nexans will supply four mediumโvoltage AC cables that run along the seabed from the offshore berths to shore. The total cable length reaches about 80 km, or roughly 20 km per cable.
These cables will carry the power from the wave energy devices to the onshore grid connection point. The project serves as a pilot to test a renewable generation option that remains both minimally invasive and suited to sensitive marine environments.
Innovation and Sustainable Energy Goals
Ragnhild Katteland, executive vice president of Nexansโ Generation and Transmission Business Group, said the PacWave South contract reflects the companyโs commitment to innovation and sustainable energy solutions. She noted that future energy systems will rely on a diverse mix of renewable sources. PacWaveโs wave energy facility will provide practical data and experience to further develop this emerging technology.
Project partners expect PacWave South to become energized in 2024. When online, the facility will represent both a significant step for U.S. marine energy and a key milestone in Nexansโ strategy to focus on sustainable electrification and gridโconnected renewable technologies.
