The Seabed Secret Driving Europe’s Clean Energy Push

A subsea export cable milestone at Inch Cape shows why early cable planning now shapes offshore wind schedules and costs

9 Jan 2026

The installation of the first subsea export cable for the Inch Cape offshore wind project has marked a key step in delivering renewable power from the North Sea to the UK grid, as developers place greater emphasis on power connections rather than turbines alone.

The cable links the offshore wind farm to the onshore electricity network in eastern Scotland. A second export cable is scheduled to be installed in 2026, completing the main transmission route for one of the region’s largest offshore wind developments.

Export cables carry electricity generated at sea to land based substations, a function that has become more complex as wind farms move further offshore and grow in size. Without sufficient cable capacity and reliable installation, projects can face delays and cost overruns, even if turbines are ready.

At about 85 kilometres in length, the Inch Cape cable is designed to transmit high voltage electricity across the seabed, supporting a project expected to supply power to several hundred thousand homes once fully operational.

Installation was carried out by Enshore Subsea, using specialised vessels and staged offshore operations to manage difficult weather and seabed conditions in the North Sea. The cable was supplied by Ningbo Orient Wires & Cables, reflecting the increasingly global supply chains behind European offshore wind projects.

The milestone comes as the offshore wind sector across Europe faces mounting pressure on subsea infrastructure. Larger projects require longer cable routes, higher voltages and more complex installation techniques, stretching manufacturing capacity and vessel availability.

Developers and grid operators say export cables are now a central factor in project planning, influencing construction schedules, financing and long term performance. Early coordination with grid authorities and suppliers is becoming standard practice as risks around delays and technical failures increase.

Challenges remain, including permitting requirements, competition for installation vessels and the difficulty of maintaining larger and more powerful cables once installed. But the Inch Cape project illustrates how attention is shifting to the less visible parts of offshore wind.

As European governments push to expand offshore wind capacity, the ability to move electricity efficiently from sea to shore is becoming as important as generating it.