French cable maker Nexans has kicked off the installation of high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) onshore cable on the Irish side of the Celtic Interconnector, set to link the power systems of Ireland and France together for the first time via subsea power cable.
The project is being developed by the Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid and its French counterpart Réseau de Transport d’Electricité (RTE).
EirGrid reported last week that the installation of the HVAC cable on the land side of the project had commenced in Ireland, representing a crucial step forward in the realization of the strategic energy project.
“This advancement underscores the commitment of all contractors and agencies to enhance energy connectivity and contribute to more secure and sustainable electricity. Without expertise and hard work of all partners involved, this achievement would not have been possible to progress this project,” said EirGrid’s Chief Infrastructure Officer Michael Mahon .
Nexans, which won the contract for the project in 2022, announced that this critical segment of its project is set for completion in 2025, spanning a total onshore distance of 40 kilometers and buried 1.3 meters below the surface.
Siemens Energy is delivering the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology for the interconnector.
The 700 MW 320 kV VSC HVDC link will be approximately 575 kilometers long, of which the offshore element comprises approximately 500 kilometers. When complete in 2026, the Celtic Interconnector will allow the movement of enough electricity to power 450,000 homes.