11,000 volts under the sea

21/06/2007

Rathlin Network Connection Project reaches next milestone  
 
Connecting Rathlin Island to the main Northern Ireland electricity grid moved a step closer this week as the subsea cable landed on the island’s shore at Church Bay.  
 
Northern Ireland Electricity engineers were on the island to see the high voltage cable, which extends 10.4 kilometres from Ballycastle, come ashore. The cable has been designed to meet Rathlin Island’s growing demand for electricity and the cable route was chosen after extensive subsea and marine life surveys.  
 
The specialist cable laying vessel Giulio Verne is one of the largest ships to sail in the bay around Rathlin Island. Using remotely operated subsea equipment, the ship is now burying the cable beneath the seabed between Ballycastle and Rathlin. Marine experts are on board to monitor the subsea installation, which will be completed by the end of June.  
 
Gerry Hodgkinson, NIE’s Network Investment Manager, watched the cable laying boat make its way to the island. He said, “NIE is delighted to see the cable coming ashore, ahead of schedule. This is very much a landmark day in a project which will ultimately deliver a more reliable electricity supply to the homes and businesses on Rathlin, as well as supporting the island with its various development plans.”  
 
In conjunction with the subsea cable installation, NIE is also carrying out work to extend and adapt the existing electricity network facilities in Ballycastle and Rathlin, before finally connecting the island later in the year.  
 
Richard Green, Chairman of the Rathlin Development Community Association, sees the project as a boost for the development of the island. “Today we are a step closer to having an upgraded electricity supply on the island. Grid connected electricity will offer islanders a greater energy choice in their everyday lives, as well as offering the island new opportunities for the future.”  
 
The connection between Rathlin Island and the main Northern Ireland grid is the second undersea project undertaken by NIE. The Moyle Interconnector, which links the Scottish and Northern Ireland grids, was completed in 2002.  
 
ENDS  
 
Notes to Editors  
 
· Rathlin Island is presently supplied by diesel generation, located on the island. The system was established in 1992.  
 
· NIE has completed a detailed subsea survey of potential cable routes between the north coast of Antrim and Rathlin Island. Based on that survey, and detailed route selection, a decision has been taken to proceed with the installation of a subsea cable and connect the island to the network. In January 2007 the Utility Regulator approved capital funding of £4.83m to install the connection.  
 
· The contract to install the subsea cable was awarded to Prysmian Cables & Systems, a world leader in the energy and telecommunications cables and systems industry. Prysmain has installed undersea cables to link Tasmania to Australia, the Isle of Man to GB and Spain to Morocco.  
 
 

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