37km offshore cable will connect NnG to onshore substation

These electricity transmission cables will connect NnG’s two offshore platforms to its onshore substation located in the Lammermuir Hills.

The offshore cable was transported to the nearshore area of Thorntonloch Beach by Prysmian Group’s cable-laying vessel, the 124 metre long Cable Enterprise.

The onshore winch cable was pulled through a 650m long horizontal directional drill duct and connected to the offshore cable situated on the deck of the vessel, 1km from shore. The offshore cable was then directed back through the duct towards onshore where it will be connected to the onshore cables behind Thorntonloch Beach.

The Cable Enterprise will lay the offshore cable from the nearshore of Thorntonloch Beach to the site of NnG. The cables will be buried to protect them from damage. Prysmian, one of NnG’s tier one contractors, expect the second offshore cable to be installed in July.

NnG, jointly owned by EDF Renewables and ESB, will supply enough low carbon electricity for around 375,000* homes and has a capacity of c. 450MW of low carbon energy and will offset over 400,000 tonnes of Co² emissions each year

Matthias Haag, NnG Project Director, said: “The installation of the first of our two offshore cables is a significant milestone in the construction of NnG. These two 37km cables will play a pivotal role in connecting our two offshore platforms to the onshore substation over in the Lammermuir Hills. We’re grateful to all our neighbours in and around the Throntonloch area for their patience as we carry out these vital construction works nearshore.”

Massimo Galletta, Project Director (NnG) at Prysmian Group, said: “We are proud of being selected for such a strategic project, proving our state-of-the-art cable technology, know-how and project execution expertise to support the growing renewable energy industry.”