Intertek METOC has completed its involvement in the BritNed Interconnector project, which went into operation on 1st April 2011. Intertek METOC were marine project managers during the feasibility and planning stages for the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC 1000MW) cable, connecting the electricity grids of the UK and the Netherlands.
BritNed is a commercial interconnector, funded and operated by its joint venture partners, the UK’s National Grid and the Netherlands’ equivalent, TenneT. The 260 km cable between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam will greatly improve electrical security and efficiency between the two countries, according to the operators.
Working with partners Royal Haskoning, Svasek in the Netherlands, TEP and RPS in the UK, Intertek METOC undertook the marine Environmental Assessments, route feasibility studies, management of all the marine surveys, consent submission and supported the EPC contract award process. Subsequently, the consultancy has assured consent compliance during the construction phase of the project.
Bill Russell, director BritNed said: “ Intertek METOC helped us greatly to lay the foundations for the success of BritNed. The cable will transmit power in both directions, which is driven by supply and demand patterns and by price differentials between the two power markets. Earlier experience of coupling cross border markets has witnessed an increase of liquidity and volumes and the creation of a stable reference price. We expect that the UK market will now benefit from the same experience .”
Sally Holroyd, Intertek METOC‟s project manager , said: “ Intertek METOC is very pleased to have been involved throughout the BritNed project, which has been delivered on time and within budget. The experience gained is standing us in good stead on the other major interconnectors and offshore renewable energy projects that we are working on around the UK and overseas in the USA, Mediterranean, and Chile .”
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Source: metoc, May 10, 2011; Image: sustainablecitiesnet