Moyle Interconnector has experienced a number of faults on its low voltage cables since 2010, with the result that Moyle has only been able to operate reliably at half capacity since June 2012. It has been agreed with the Utility Regulator that the solution is to replace the low voltage parts of the Moyle cables.
The Moyle return cables project will restore the interconnector to its full capacity by 2016 – a year sooner than had been originally signalled. A contract has been signed with Norwegian manufacturer Nexans for the manufacture, installation and commissioning of the replacement cables, which will increase the stability and flexibility of the Northern Ireland electricity system, as well as providing enhanced security of supply.
In addition to the signing of the cable contract, the project has been making good progress in a number of other key areas. Nexans has commenced cable manufacture at its Halden factory in Norway and plans are underway to start marine and near shore survey works which will inform the final solution and cable placement requirement. Paddy Larkin, Gurpal Ghotra and Stephen Hemphill visited the Nexans facility in Norway in March 2015 for a number of key meetings in relation to the project.
A number of permits and consents are required in order to enable construction works to proceed – Mutual Energy has been engaged in the process for obtaining these consents since late 2013, in parallel to the procurement process, and progress to date has been in line with expectations. Obtaining these consents in a timely manner will be a key factor in achieving the 2016 delivery date for the project.
Moyle repair programme: Key milestones
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First conductor layer of Moyle cable prepared for extrusion at the base of the extrusion tower in Nexans factory, Norway.
Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive, Mutual Energy with Knut Stenseth, Deputy Project Manager, Nexans pictured in front of the extrusion tower at the Nexans factory, Norway.
Repair vessel Skagerrak leaving Norway with the north cable on board, July 2015.
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Preparing for cable pull in at Portmuck
Cable pull in Currarie Port, Ayrshire
Cable pull in Currarie Port, Ayrshire
Staff and stakeholders tour of the Skagerrak in Belfast
The north cable on board the Skagerrak ready for laying
Stephen Hemphill and Mick McGuckin, Mutual Energy, on board the Skagerrak
Skagerrak in Belfast
Project Director Gurpal Ghotra with the Skagerrak in Belfast
Mick McGuckin, Gurpal Ghotra and Paddy Larkin.
Nearshore diver operations for cable protection
Transition bay works
Transition bay works
Cable end floated to pull – Portmuck
Cable end leaving boat to be floated to shore – Currarie
Cable floating and guarded to shore – Portmuck
Cable jointing tents – Portmuck
Cable pull in 1 – Currarie
Cable pull in 2 – Currarie
Cable pull in nearshore – Portmuck
Cable pull in onshore – Portmuck
Cable vessel – Portmuck
Near shore cable pull – Currarie
Paddy Larkin – Currarie
Stills from diver video showing Moyle cable on the nearshore (Northern Ireland) side
Stills from diver video showing Moyle cable on the nearshore (Northern Ireland) side
