ARE SEABED WOBBLES TO BLAME FOR PROBLEM WITH WINDFARM GIANT'S CABLING LINK?

Hornsea One - located off the Yorkshire Coast but serviced from Grimsby

A GLITCH with the under-seabed cables linking Ørsted's Hornsea One windfarm to landfall at Horseshoe Point  has caused a headache for the Danish company.

Not only is a stretch thought to require repairs, but it is feared that it  may also have become 'unburied' as a result of naturally-occurring seabed disturbance.

If this is the case, there is a potential hazard to shipping.

Says a report seen by the Grimsby News: "Following cable engineering assessments, it has been identified that there is a risk of cables requiring repair.

"Due to the identification of some highly mobile sandwaves within the Humber Estuary, there is the potential that some remedial burial of the cables within this part of the route within the site may also be required."

Ørsted is anxious that the works can proceed without  the need for an extended shut down of part of the 174-turbine windfarm. 

It is therefore applying for a marine licence to enable the repair, replacement and/or remedial works to be carried out as soon as possible.

Furthermore, as part of an agreement with  ABP, any exposed cable must be reburied promptly to mitigate any potential risk to other sea users. 

The Humber Estuary is of global importance as a stop-off feeding place for migrating or over-wintering shorebirds, but Ørsted  has always been mindful of its responsibilities to wildlife so it is hoped any disturbance will be either non-existent or short-term only.

* Images: Courtesy of Ørsted