Houston-based JDR Cable Systems and McAllister Towing have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development and collaborative operation of a U.S. East Cost Offshore Wind subsea power-cable service base, with an integrated cable training center. The new facility is currently planned for an existing McAllister quayside waterfront property in the north eastern United States.
As the U.S. offshore wind industry matures, this service base will transition to become the JDR Offshore Wind Life of Field Service Center, according to the companies. Some of the services to be provided will be asset management services, capital spare cable storage, preservation and maintenance, as well as the JDR life of field service headquarters for the U.S. offshore wind market.
The site has been selected because to its proximity to the current offshore wind leases and the enormous potential of the region in the use of renewable energy sources. Initially, this base will serve as a staging area for subsea power cables to enable local storage, maintenance, and deployment to the offshore wind fields.
“Our partnership with McAllister is one of several critical steps JDR Cables has toward establishing our market leading presence in the U.S. offshore wind market,” said David Nemetz, Director for the Americas at JDR. “This facility aims at developing local personnel and providing jobs for both professional and technician personnel. I am convinced our joint venture will bring significant benefits to anyone interested in wind-related development of the East Coast of the USA.”
Longer term project plans include establishment of office, storage, workshop and training facilities to develop offshore high-voltage electrical and fiber-optic competencies to the local workforce. Currently, the legal and administrative formulas are being completed.
“Offshore wind farm development is a new industry for New England,” said Buckley McAllister, President at McAllister Towing. “JDR Cables expertise in manufacturing and service excellence will be in high demand as the offshore wind industry gets started in our region. While maritime logistics and project operations have always been part of our business, JDR Cables brings vast experience in subsea installations that are otherwise unavailable to customers in the area.”
Capt. Gary Oliveira, Vice President and General Manager at McAllister Towing of Narragansett Bay, added: “JDR Cables has been very generous in sharing their knowledge of this industry with our crews. We look forward to working with them on the sustainable growth of the offshore wind as a renewable energy source.”
Filed Under: News, O&M, Offshore wind
