Another major deal for Hartlepool company

The Greenland Road-based firm has now clinched a deal to become the preferred cable partner for US Wind Inc on its first offshore wind project.

That means JDR will provide the cables for the Maryland Development project where up to 187 turbines will be placed in water depths up to 100ft.

The overall wind project will be worth $275 million and JDR will get to manage and engineer the full electrical cable part of it all.

JDR chief executive David Currie said: “The USA is a growing market opportunity and of strategic importance for the offshore renewable industry. This contract award demonstrates customer confidence in JDR as the leading cable partner of choice.”

The scheme is expected to be the largest offshore wind farm to date in the USA, and can be found 15 miles off the coast.

JDR will supply and install both inter-array and export cables and to support the project, JDR will establish a storage and mobilisation facility in Maryland. The company will also open a project management and engineering office base.

Mr Currie added: “Our track record of technology leadership, reliability and partnering for customer success in complex and harsh environments is the basis for this award. We are extremely proud to be selected by US Wind Inc. for the full cable package. Our offering will play an important role in ensuring its success.

Paul Rich, Director of Project Development for US Wind Inc. said: “JDR Cables is a world-class leader in the industry and just one of many future examples of US Wind’s commitment to bring the world’s best companies to Maryland.”

JDR will make 122 miles of inter-array cable and 112 miles of export cable for the US project and will also supply cable accessories.

It will also install and test both the cable types and the cables are expected to be made next year.

They will then be delivered and installed next year and in 2020.

But engineering works are expected to start this year.

This is just the latest piece of good news for the award-winning Hartlepool firm.

Just last week, the Hartlepool Mail told how JDR won a “major steel tube umbilical contract” with an organisation called Cameron Ltd, on behalf of operator ONGC. It involves work for 11 oil and gas wells which are found at ONGC’s Western Offshore fields in India.

JDR employs more than 200 workers at its Greenland Road site. It supplies cables, umbilicals and services for industries including offshore wind farms.

It is an award-winning firm and is the current holder of the Hartlepool Business of the Year title. It won the crown at last May’s Hartlepool Business Awards where it was also chosen as the winner of the manufacturing category.

Last year, the Hartlepool Mail revealed JDR’s five-year strategy. Chief operating officer Richard Turner said at the time that steady growth was envisaged in 2016 with “growth, development and expansion in 2017 and beyond”.