SA Power Networks has awarded Fugro a contract to install a subsea power cable in South Australia.
REM Etive. Image from Fugro. |
The new 20,000 kVA/33,000 volt cable will replace the existing 10,000 kVA/33,000 volt undersea cable, which is reaching the end of its life. The subsea asset is a continuous 15km-long cable, weighing 600-tonne and connects Kangaroo Island to the distribution network on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula, south of Adelaide.
Fugro will design and supply the power cable and will use its multi role support vessel, REM Etive, to install it across Backstairs Passage, from Fishery Beach on the mainland to Cuttlefish Bay on Kangaroo Island.
“As a multi-disciplinary project delivery and subsea services provider, we operate high specification vessels and remotely operated technology, enabling Fugro to deliver turnkey solutions like this one,” says Marcus Hemsted, business development manager at Fugro. “After installation of the cable our specialist team will also carry out commissioning and associated termination and connection works.”
Fugro is scheduled to begin work in Q4 2017, and operations are anticipated to a take a couple of weeks. The new cable is expected to be operational by the middle of 2018, says SA Power Networks.
Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the coast of Australia, situated 15km off the tip of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia and has a population of about 4500 people.