SBSS has successfully completed the installation and burial of two subsea power cables connecting Margarita Island to Chacopata on the Venezuelan mainland.
SBSS took the cable installation vessel CS Sovereign under charter from their parent company Global Marine Systems Limited, mobilizing in June 2014 from the UK to begin the long transit to LS Cable and System’s cable factory in Donghae, Korea, where the two 30km power cable lengths were loaded in August.
The vessel then sailed onward across the Pacific to arrive in Venezuela and complete route clearance work before the installation campaign was successfully completed between the 27th September and the 10th October.
SBSS returned the vessel to the UK on the 30th December, just in time for the New Year celebrations.
Under contract to LS Cable and Systems Limited, the Korean cable manufacturer, the work scope of SBSS consisted of the project management and installation of two 30km 320kV XLPE submarine power links, one of which included a fibre-optic composite link to enhance the Island’s voice, Internet and data connectivity, and the post-lay burial of all four power cables installed during the project. Burial of the cables using a specialized trenching Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) was completed on the 12th December.
The project forms part of the long-term strategy of the State Power Corporation of Venezuela (CORPOELEC) to provide additional capacity and security of power supply to the Island of Margarita.
The new subsea links are expected to boost the capacity to 500mW, ensuring the forecasted growth in electricity demand on the island is met.
Press Release