Cable carriers for TenneT's HelWin Beta offshore platform

HelWin Beta is a TenneT converter platform in the North Sea: a steel structure on legs, in the middle of the sea. On a platform like this, cables between parts that move relative to each other have to keep working reliably, year after year.

The environment makes that tough. Salty air and sea spray attack materials, the wind pulls at anything hanging loose and the cables are outdoors all year round. On top of that, a platform at sea is not easy to reach: every fault or replacement means a boat or helicopter, planning and cost. So the cable guidance had to be right first time and last a long time, without anyone needing to check on it often.

We started with engineering: what movement the carrier has to absorb, which cables go into it and how it is mounted on the structure. Based on that, we chose steel cable carriers from Tsubaki Kabelschlepp, made for heavy outdoor conditions and long unsupported lengths.

Inside the carrier, every cable was given its own place, with separation between the different cables, so they keep running straight with every movement and do not rub against each other. The carriers were assembled in the workshop before going out to sea, so the configuration could be checked on land.

Wisman Techniek handled the engineering and supply. The carriers were then installed on the platform, at the transition from the bridge to the platform.

HelWin Beta operates at sea with cable carriers selected for the conditions out there: steel carriers that can withstand salt, wind and weather and let the cables move in a controlled way. Because the design was calculated in advance and checked on land, nothing needs to be adjusted at sea.

Working on an offshore project, a port or another site exposed to the elements? Also take a look at our steel cable carriers or get in touch with one of our specialists.