Ireland-UK interconnector nears trial operations as cable installation wraps up

Japan-headquartered Sumitomo Electric Industries has completed all onshore and offshore cable installation work for the Greenlink Interconnector between Ireland and the UK, with trial operations expected in the coming months.

The project included the manufacture and installation of onshore HVDC cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables along a 24-kilometer route in Ireland, a 6-kilometer route in Wales, and submarine cables along a 160-kilometer offshore route, connecting Great Island in County Wexford and Pembrokeshire in Wales.

The project milestone was achieved recently with the completion of all testing, commissioning, and handover of the cable system to the consortium partner Siemens Energy.

“Greenlink is immensely pleased that Sumitomo Electric has completed all onshore and offshore HVDC cable installation work ahead of schedule,” said James O’Reilly, CEO of Greenlink.

“We eagerly look forward to the successful testing and commissioning of the project later this year. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sumitomo Electric and their subcontractors for their outstanding contributions to the Greenlink project.”

Sumitomo Electric hired Jan De Nul back in 2022 for the installation of two subsea HVDC cables and one fiber optic cable for the Greenlink Interconnector, carried out by the cable lay vessel (CLV) Connector.

Cable burial or trenching activities, performed by Helix Robotics Solution on behalf of Jan De Nul, were paused in January due to poor weather and a requirement for maintenance and upgrades on the Grand Canyon III. The operations resumed in May.