Marine survey work starts for Greenlink interconnector

The subsea field work for the Greenlink interconnector, one of Europe’s most important infrastructure projects, recently got under way with the launch of the first of MMT’s survey vessels, MV Franklin, to service the contract. Greenlink Interconnector awarded the contract for offshore and nearshore surveying along the proposed route of the electricity link between the UK and Ireland in August 2018.

Further survey work along the 170-km marine route will be undertaken by vessels MV Seabeam, MV Edda Fonn and RED7 jack-up rig Seariser 2.

The objective of the survey is to acquire all appropriate data for the confirmation of a preferred route for the high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system. The surveys will also contribute to the cable burial risk assessment and provide information for the planning applications, ensuring that the final route selected is designed sympathetically to the existing marine environment.

Greenlink is a proposed 500 MW electrical underground and submarine interconnector, connecting the UK National Grid system at Pembroke substation in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to the Irish network at Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland. The privately-financed €400mn project is due to start construction in 2020.

MV Franklin
Photo: MMT Sweden