Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, has been awarded a new contract worth in total approximately €40 million ($55 mil) by ESB (Ireland), for the “Shannon River Crossing” project to provide electricity between Kilpaddoge and Moneypoint across the opposite banks of the river and along an underwater route of approximately 3 km.
The project involves supply, installation and commissioning of a High Voltage Alternate Current (HVAC) 220 kV power cable double-circuit connection, comprising 21 km submarine cable including spare lengths and fibre optic connection, network components and commissioning services. The cables for the “Shannon River Crossing” project will be manufactured in the Pikkala plant (Finland), one of the Group’s centres of technological and manufacturing excellence for submarine cables.
Underwater cable installation will be performed by one of the Group’s own laying vessels, Cable Enterprise, specialised in operations in extremely shallow waters and in offshore wind farm connections. The vessel is currently undergoing upgrade works to be converted from a moored cable laying barge to a DP2 ship that will allow the vessel to operate autonomously without the need of tugs during cable operations. Project completion is scheduled in early 2016.
Prysmian is particularly active in Northern Europe, namely in the entire Northern Sea region. The Group can call on full expertise in offshore wind farm connections and interconnectors and an extended ability to offer turnkey products and services (including design, manufacture and installation) to better serve Northern Europe’s growing markets where Prysmian Group has already acquired and completed several projects such as Ormonde, Walney I and II, Greater Gabbard, Thanet, Gunfleet Sands, Robin Rigg, Gwynt y Môr and Teesside in the UK and BorWin2, Helwin1, Helwin2, SylWin1 e DolWin3 in Germany and Skagerrak IV in Denmark.
The Group is currently carrying out the submarine connection between Scotland and England Western HVDC Link. This project represents also the full acknowledgement of the Group’s undisputed know-how and capability for innovation, as well as representing a milestone not only in terms of economic value, but also for its technological characteristics (with a record voltage of 600 kV and power rating of 2,200 MW).
Press Release, April 25, 2014; Image: A&P Group