Nexans backs business continuity for Scottish subsea transmission link

SSEN Transmission has appointed Nexans to provide consultancy services to support a business continuity strategy for the high voltage subsea transmission link between Kintyre and Hunterston.

The consultancy services will identify the optimum monitoring, repair and restoration regime to keep the link operating reliably with maximum uptime throughout the rest of its projected 40-year plus life.

In the initial phase of the consultancy exercise, the Nexans IMR team will collaborate with SSEN Transmission to conduct a number of workshops, which will explore the most appropriate asset management strategy for the transmission link, with emphasis on identification of potential contingencies, preparation for the unexpected, and development of suitable response plans.

Nexans installed and commission the 41-kilometer long 230 kV, 240 MVA subsea cable system back in 2015. It has a grid capacity of 150 MW for renewable energy projects.

The link, between Kintyre in Argyll and Hunterston in North Ayrshire, was installed as part of SSEN Transmission’s wider plans to upgrade and reinforcement of the North of Scotland electricity transmission network.

Abdou Diallo, sales manager for Nexans, said: “The Kintyre to Hunterston cable link has performed very well in the first six years of operation. We look forward to collaborating with SSEN Transmission to ensure it continues to be at peak performance for the rest of its life.”