wiredinUSA October 2019

MEA sees new MD

Offshore wind finds a base

Arafat Yousef

Photo by Bruno Martins on Unsplash

Arafat Yousef has been appointed as Nexans’ managing director of the LAN systems business unit in Middle East and Africa (MEA). In his new role, Arafat will be responsible for driving Nexans Cabling Solutions’ business growth, strengthening its channel network, and expanding the company’s reach by focusing on newer markets in the MEA region. Arafat Yousef has over 22 years of experience in the regional IT and structured cabling industry, holding senior roles in companies such as Corning, 3M, Leviton and CNS. Speaking about the role, he said: “This is an exciting time to join Nexans Cabling Solutions. At a time when organizations in the MEA region are accelerating their digital transformation journeys, and governments are investing in building stronger infrastructure for the future, I see tremendous potential for Nexans’ innovative LAN cabling solutions in the region.”

Ørsted officially opened its Hornsea Two offshore construction base (HTOCB) at Humberside airport in the UK, in early September. The facility, a former police station, will house around 30Ørsted employees working to construct the Hornsea Two offshore wind farm, located 89km off the Yorkshire coast. On completion in 2022, Hornsea Two will have a capacity of 1,386MW, making it the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Decommissioning is scheduled for 2046. Preston-based VolkerInfra has already begun the onshore cable works, and construction of the onshore substation is underway.Most of themajor contracts have been awarded and offshore construction is due to begin in 2020. The project will have fewer turbines than its sister project, Hornsea One, but will use a newly developed larger blade to generate more power. Ørsted’s east coast hub, an offshore wind operations and maintenance facility in Grimsby, opened in late September.

wiredInUSA October 2019

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