Lesedauer: Berechne...
The Celtic Interconnector Project, an ambitious engineering endeavour, establishes a 575 km high-voltage submarine cable to connect the power grids of Ireland and France. This ambitious infrastructure project is intended to facilitate crossborder electricity supply and contribute to European climate targets. Cables will be laid from the south coast of Ireland to the north-west coast of France, with complex installation requirements and strict adherence to EirGrid specifications. The cables in Ireland are protected by the egeplast Power Protect PE-RT cable protection pipe systems.
egeplast, Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd., and Nexans are key participants, with egeplast providing specialised pipe manufacturing, Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd. handling civils, groundworks and installation in Ireland, and Nexans operating as main contractor, cable supply and installation in both Ireland and France.
Brian Snow, Operations Director at Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd., describes his involvement in the project, emphasizing the team’s progress in the face of challenging conditions and highlighting the collaborative efforts with egeplast and Nexans.
„The Celtic Interconnector will create an electrical interconnection between Ireland and France to allow the exchange of electricity between the two countries.“
Brian Snow, Operations Director, Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd.
„Once complete it will contribute to a more secure and sustainable electricity supply and will be Ireland’s only direct energy connection to an EU member state. Installation of the 42 km of ducting commenced in Autumn 2023. Despite some challenging weather conditions to date, our experienced team is making excellent progress, which is a testament to our commitment and expertise in handling complex, large-scale projects. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with our duct supplier egeplast, on behalf of Nexans and EirGrid in helping to deliver this milestone project.” – Brian Snow, Operations Director, Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd.
Challenges & Solutions
Managing the complex logistics of transporting and installing lengthy pipes from Germany to Ireland was a significant challenge within the Celtic Interconnector Project. egeplast’s strategic provision of 6-meter SDR21 PE-RT pipes played a crucial role in addressing installation and transportation efficiency. The development of specialised push-fit and electrofusion couplers, in partnership with manufacturers, further exemplified the project’s commitment to meeting detailed specifications. Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd.’s involvement in quality control and project management was instrumental in aligning with the project’s extensive and intricate requirements, showcasing a collaborative approach to meeting these exacting standards.
Pipes & Pipe Laying
The project used PE-RT pipes in various sizes (OD63, OD125, OD225, OD250) to accommodate different cable types. The pipes, in SDR21 and SDR11 classifications, were connected using push-fit and electrofusion fittings. Specially trained welders ensured adherence to the EN13067:2020 standard, demonstrating commitment to EirGrid’s requirements.
Project data
| Project description | 575 km high-voltage submarine cable to connect the power grids of Ireland and France |
| Challenges | complex installation processes and strict compliance with EirGrid specifications |
| Solution | Use of Power Protect cable protection pipe systems |
| Installation | Open-trench installation |
| Pipe system | PE-RT pipes in various sizes (OD 63, OD 125, OD 225, OD 250), SDR 21 and SDR 11, various fittings |
| Parties involved in the project | CIDAC a Joint Venture between EirGrid / RTE, state-owned electric power transmission operators in Ireland / France); Nexans (cable supplier / main contractor); Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd. (duct installer / civils contractor for EirGrid, Ireland) |
Colin Balzli
General Manager Technical Sales, egeplast Ireland Ltd.
E-Mail: colin.balzli@egeplast.ie
Tel.: +353 51 511 402
