4 onshore wind farms in Italy

Context

In 2022, Nexans has embarked on a significant endeavor to contribute to Italy’s energy transition. In collaboration with ERG, a leading company in the wind power sector in Italy, Nexans secured a contract to support the repowering of four onshore wind farms in Sicily. These farms should produce 330 GWh per year, representing consumption of 100,000 houses and 166,000 tons of CO2 emissions avoided each year. The project aims to enhance energy production capacity, reduce carbon emissions, and advance the adoption of renewable energy sources within Italy’s energy landscape.

Challenges

The project faced several challenges, including the need for advanced cable technologies, efficient delivery timelines (between May and October 2022), and the integration of digital solutions for enhanced project management. Additionally, ensuring environmental sustainability and optimizing the total cost of ownership were crucial considerations for the success of the project.

Nexans implication

Nexans played a pivotal role in the project by offering a comprehensive solution that included cables, accessories, engineering services, and the innovative ULTRACKER digital solution. The company provided more than 400 kilometers of directly buried shockproof MV cables along with 33kV accessories, thereby improving the project’s total cost of ownership (TCO) and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, Nexans provided engineering services to optimize the collector design and grid connection for the wind farms.

The cables were manufactured at Nexans’ Battipaglia plant in the south of Italy, while the accessories were manufactured at Nexans’ Offida plant located on the East coast of Italy.

Nexans’ ULTRACKER digital solution marked a significant advancement in project management, allowing real-time visualization of cable deliveries, drum locations on-site, and monitoring of installation progress. This implementation of digital solutions in the Italian context showcased Nexans’ commitment to innovation and technological leadership in the energy sector.

Through its collaboration with ERG in the repowering of wind farms in Sicily, Nexans solidifies its position as a key player in Italy’s energy transition. The project not only enhances renewable energy capacity but also demonstrates the efficacy of advanced cable technologies and digital solutions in facilitating sustainable electrification.

Context

Colbún’s Horizonte wind farm stands as a beacon of renewable energy advancement in Latin America, boasting an impressive installed capacity of 778 MW. This project, situated in the municipality of Taltal, Antofagasta Region (Chile), not only marks the largest onshore wind farm under construction in the region but also ranks among the world’s highest installed capacities. It is anticipated to produce 2,400 GWh per year, equivalent to powering over 700 thousand homes annually. The endeavor aligns with global efforts to combat climate change by reducing CO2 emissions by 1.2 million tons annually. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the Horizonte Project is pivotal in Chile’s pursuit of a carbon-neutral future by 2030.

Challenges

The scale and significance of the Horizonte wind farm project present multifaceted challenges. These include optimizing conductor design to meet the project’s unique requirements, ensuring timely production and delivery of 840 kilometers of electrical conductors, and aligning solutions with sustainability objectives. Moreover, effective collaboration among stakeholders is essential for project success amidst evolving renewable energy landscapes and regulatory frameworks.

Nexans implication

Madeco by Nexans plays a pivotal role in advancing the Horizonte wind farm project. Leveraging its expertise in cabling solutions, Nexans supplied 840 kilometers of electrical conductors, predominantly aluminum medium voltage cables. These cables were optimized to meet the project’s specific requirements and produced at Nexans plants in Chile and Peru.