Belgian offshore wind company Rentel NV has awarded an EPCI contract for an offshore substation (OSS) to STX France SA.
The contract covers the design, fabrication, transport, offshore installation and commissioning of a monopile foundation and topside, including high voltage and ancillary equipment.
It is the first major contract signed by Rentel NV for the offshore wind farm located some 32km off the Belgian coast.
Contracts for the supply and installation of wind turbines, foundations and cables are set to be finalised shortly, the developer said.
The Rentel offshore wind farm will be the fourth offshore wind project in the Belgian North Sea, with an estimated annual production of more than 1 GWh, which corresponds to the annual consumption of 288,000 households.
Last year, Rentel chose Siemens as its preferred bidder for the supply and installation of 42 offshore wind turbines generators.
The company is set to complete its project financing fundraising by the summer 2016 for an amount of EUR 1,250 million, with the construction works starting shortly thereafter.
The first wind turbines are scheduled to supply green power as from 2018, and the wind farm is expected to become fully operational by end of 2018.