Cable link laying ‘progressing well’
PROGRESS to lay the new cable link between Guernsey and Jersey is now going as planned.
The NKT Victoria, a Swedish cable laying vessel, is now on her second trip to local waters after a preliminary visit last month.
This time, the 140m vessel is back to lay the new cable between Havelet Bay to Greve de Lecq, Jersey. Once connected, it will supply about 90% of the island’s power, bringing about an end to the regular use of the heavy fuel generators in St Sampson’s power station, which is currently costing Guernsey Electricity about £1m. a month more.
Guernsey’s only interconnector with Jersey first failed in October 2018.
Guernsey Electricity’s Alan Bates said: ‘We are proceeding as planned, there was some slight delay but that has been caught – they were meant to start on Thursday but didn’t manage to until Saturday due to forecasted high winds. But yes we are progressing very well.
‘This is an extremely important link for Guernsey and will mean we can import over 90% of our electricity.
‘This gives us a reliable source, but we do need that secure supply which would come about from the installation of a second cable link. This is something we understand Environment are very supportive of, subject to an appropriate business case.’
A second direct cable link with France is something GE would like to see progressed by 2021.
Environment & Infrastructure president Deputy Barry Brehaut was supportive.
‘We need to reconnect into the main grid as quickly as possible. Our power station is burning a lot of heavy oil.
‘Obviously a second link looks to be the next project on the cards to give us the belt and buckles of an energy supply.
‘And as the energy mix changes on the Continent we in Guernsey are able to stipulate what that is and look to increase use of renewables.’
The new cable should be energised with all site works and burial complete in both islands in early November.
The cable is 37.4km long and weighs 77kg per metre.
GE is investing more than £30m. in the replacement.
