Cable Repair

NKT completed an inspection survey and cable remediation campaign on the East West Interconnector (EWIC) HVDC submarine cable system linking Ireland and Great Britain for EirGrid Interconnector DAC (EIDAC), announced 13 May 2024. The work was carried out under the long-term cable service agreement signed between EIDAC and NKT in January 2020. NKT deployed its purpose-built cable repair and installation vessel NKT Victoria for the campaign. The inspection survey characterised seabed conditions along the 187 km submarine route, identifying sections where the cable had become exposed due to sediment mobility. Remediation involved placing concrete mattresses and rock bags over the exposed sections to restore protection and reduce the risk of future damage. EirGrid stated that the survey "showed the necessity of remediation work on sections of the cable" and that "these works are now complete ensuring the continuity of supply between Ireland and Great Britain." NKT's executive vice president for service Axel Barnekow Widmark confirmed completion. The remediation supports continued reliable bidirectional operation of the 500 MW HVDC link between Woodland (Co. Meath) and Shotton (Flintshire). Periodic inspection campaigns under the service agreement enable analysis and mitigation planning to prevent cable failures and reduce downtime, drawing on NKT's offshore engineering centre.