NKT completes inspection survey and remediation work on the HVDC East West interconnector for TSO EirGrid

To optimize performance and enhance longevity of its interconnector, EIDAC, recently had NKT inspect the East West HVDC interconnector between Ireland and Great Britain. The inspection survey is part of a long-term service agreement between the two companies.

Commenting on the work, EirGrid’s Chief Operations Officer, Rodney Doyle said: EirGrid has a long-standing partnership with NKT as we work together to secure the condition of the East West Interconnector. As the interconnector is a critical piece of infrastructure between Ireland and Great Britain it is essential that it is maintained in an optimal condition. The recent survey showed the necessity of remediation work on sections of the cable. These works are now complete ensuring the continuity of supply between Ireland and Great Britain.

The survey conducted by NKT including characterization of seabed conditions along the cable led to concrete mattresses and rock bags being placed above exposed sections of the East West interconnector.

Carrying out periodic cable inspection surveys ensures that the cable can withstand extreme conditions and perform safe operations. A precise analysis and mitigation plan is a key element for preventing cable failures and reducing downtime. NKT’s offshore engineering centre can analyse cable survey data, providing the customer with 360-degree cable expertise.

- We are pleased to announce that both the inspection survey and remediation work following the survey are now successfully completed. The inspection survey led to remediation work being done for EIDAC, using our vessel NKT Victoria. EIDAC is a long-standing partner to NKT, and the long-term service agreement is a testament to the strong collaboration between our companies to jointly optimize performance of their interconnector, says Axel Barnekow Widmark, Executive Vice President, Service at NKT.

As offshore assets are placed in harsh environments, subsea cables are continuously subjected to extreme conditions. This exposes them to different kinds of surface or subsurface objects around the cable. Anchoring or fishing gear may also strike exposed sections of the cable or mechanical faults may happen in areas where the seabed is uneven. With regular inspection, emerging changes to the cable’s environment can be identified and potential cable failures can be prevented contributing to improving the operational performance of the cable.