Industry specialists will develop practical guidance for cable handling, testing and installation to help reduce risk and improve project delivery across offshore wind developments.
Global Underwater Hub (GUH) has established a new Cable Handling, Testing and Installation Working Group to develop practical, industry-led guidance that supports the safe, reliable and efficient handling, testing and installation of subsea power cables.
Operating under GUH's Subsea Electrical Systems and Cables Forum, the group's initial focus will be on fixed offshore wind developments and inter-array cable systems, while also considering export cables and future dynamic cable applications where appropriate.
Subsea power cables are fundamental to the delivery and long-term performance of offshore wind farms and wider offshore energy infrastructure. While significant advances continue to be made in cable design and manufacture, the activities that take place between the factory and the seabed, including transportation, storage, handling, testing and installation, also play a vital role in ensuring long-term cable integrity and reducing project risk.
The Working Group has been established to capture lessons learned from across the sector and develop guidance that promotes greater collaboration, consistency and early engagement between developers, manufacturers, engineering organisations and installation contractors.
Bringing together representatives from Seaway7, Apollo, DeepOcean, RED Engineering, Waves Group and MDL, the group combines expertise across engineering, cable installation, vessel operations, project delivery, testing, cable handling equipment and subsea infrastructure.
The guidance will consider the full cable lifecycle, including transportation and logistics, installation methodologies, vessel and equipment selection, integrity management, testing, cable protection systems, route engineering, procurement strategies, operations and maintenance, and opportunities to improve project delivery through earlier collaboration across the supply chain.
Neil Gordon, Chief Executive at Global Underwater Hub, said: “GUH’s strategic programme forums are becoming increasingly important in bringing industry together to address the technical and commercial challenges that can restrict supply chain growth and technology deployment.
“These forums are directed by industry-led steering groups, ensuring that their work is focused on practical priorities and produces tangible outputs, including technical guidance, workshops, industry papers and recommendations. The establishment of our Cable Handling, Testing and Installation Working Group is an excellent example of this approach, bringing together specialists from across the supply chain to capture industry experience and develop practical guidance that will benefit future offshore wind projects.
“GUH acts as both the industry convenor and technical coordinator for the underwater supply chain. By connecting developers, contractors, manufacturers, technology companies and specialist service providers, we provide the joined-up approach required to strengthen the supply chain, improve project delivery and support the development of the technologies needed for the future offshore energy market.”
The initiative supports wider industry efforts to improve project execution, reduce risk and strengthen collaboration as offshore wind deployment accelerates in the UK and internationally.
The Working Group's objectives and initial work programme will be presented at Global Underwater Hub's Cables 2026 Conference, taking place at Energy Central Campus in Blyth on 9 September 2026. The event will bring together stakeholders from across the subsea cable sector to discuss developments in HVDC and dynamic cables, operations, maintenance and repair, and emerging technologies.