A SUBSEA power cable maker will support America’s largest wind farm in a £220m deal.

JDR will work with US Wind Inc on the Maryland Development.

The Northern Echo understands the contract is the largest in JDR’s history, surpassing a 150-mile cable deal announced last year to support Dong Energy’s Hornsea Project One, and will secure hundreds of jobs at JDR’s Hartlepool plant, which is the business’ main cable making hub.

It also comes just weeks after bosses told the Echo they were in negotiations over further deals and working on next generation higher voltage cabling to meet future demand.

The company will make and install hundreds of miles of cabling for Maryland, which developers say is expected to be the largest US wind farm to date and will include up to 187 turbines capable of powering hundreds of thousands of homes.

According to the terms of its US agreement, JDR will make 122 miles of inter-array cable, 112 miles of export cable and various accessories.

Manufacturing is expected to start next year, with delivery and installation across 2019 and 2020.

David Currie, JDR chief executive, said the US is becoming an increasingly significant region for wind farm operators, adding the business’ industry repute helped it secure the work.

He said: “The US is a growing market opportunity and this contract award demonstrates customer confidence in JDR as the leading cable partner.

“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 and our offering will play an important role in ensuring its success.”

Maryland, which is subject to offshore renewable energy credit and a final investment decision, will include a maximum of 187 turbines in water depths of up to 30 metres.

Paul Rich, director of project development for US Wind Inc, added: “JDR is a worldclass leader in the industry and just one of many future examples of US Wind’s commitment to bring the best companies to Maryland.”

Last year, JDR revealed it had secured a deal to supply 150 miles of cabling for the Hornsea Project One.

Described as the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the scheme is expected to provide enough power for 1.3 million homes, according to developer Dong Energy.