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.
143 MW
total capacity of the 4 wind farms
330 GWh
projected annual energy production
100K
households’ equivalent energy consumption
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.
Nexans’ advanced cable solutions, accessories and services provide our customers with transparent and smooth cable installation. Not only does this help put customers’ minds at ease, it’s also another example of our cutting-edge technology and ongoing commitment to R&D. ERG is a leading business in the Italian wind power sector and our ongoing partnership with them is just another step in Nexans’ journey to contribute to the energy transition and sustainable electrification in Italy.
CEO & Sales Director, Nexans Italia
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.
778 MW
installed capacity
2,400 GWh
annual generation
700 K
homes powered annually
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.
We have worked with Sigdo Koppers and Colbún to find the best solutions, in terms of the of conductors, section and reel design, and thus generate relevant efficiencies that contribute to the success of the project.
Commercial Manager, Nexans in Chile
We are very proud to be part of the largest wind farm under construction in Latin America, and one of the most significant worldwide. Participating and working with the various actors involved in the project reaffirms our commitment to developing renewable energies, both in Chile and in the region, as well as our commitment to supporting the carbon-neutral transition by 2030, thereby ensuring a safer, more sustainable, renewable energy future and, above all, accessible to all.
Vice President for the Andean Region, Nexans