The Cable Enterprise has docked at the port of Granadilla this Wednesday to commence, later this month, the installation of the first circuit of the submarine interconnection cable between Tenerife and La Gomera. This will span 36 kilometres and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The preparations are now being finalised for laying the underwater power cable by Red Eléctrica, described as the deepest three-core alternating current cable in the world, reaching depths of 1,145 metres, which will connect the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera, as reported by the Cabildo of La Gomera.
This visit to the vessel was attended by the Councillor for Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano Hernández Zapata; the President of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo; the Second Vice President of the Cabildo of Tenerife, José Miguel Ruano; the Mayor of Guía de Isora, Ana Dorta; the Accidental Mayor of Granadilla, Marcos Rodríguez; the Deputy Director of the Tenerife Port Authority, Airam Díaz; the project director, Pablo García; and the Redeia representative in the Canary Islands, Ainara Irigoyen.
Cable Enterprise
The Cable Enterprise is part of the fleet of Prysmian, a global leader in the manufacture, supply, and design of cables. It is designed to maintain stability and autonomy even in adverse weather conditions. This vessel can carry out simultaneous cable laying and burial operations, with a capacity to support up to 180 tonnes.
This underwater and underground line, a dual circuit at 66 kV, with a capacity of 50 MVA per circuit, consists of an underwater section of approximately 36 kilometres in length, reaching a maximum depth of 1,145 metres, along with two land sections in La Gomera and Tenerife.
Zapata characterised this work as “a global milestone and significant for the energy planning of the Archipelago.” He noted that the development of this cutting-edge facility is part of the ministry’s energy strategy aimed at ensuring supply to the islands through various measures, such as interconnections. This, he stated, will enable the Canary Islands to “continue advancing towards a greater penetration of renewable energies and, consequently, towards our decarbonisation objectives.”
Maximising Environmental Safeguards
He also emphasised that this strategic project, which features maximum environmental safeguards, stems from collaborative efforts between the involved administrations and companies, along with “the support of the Government of the Canary Islands and this ministry to expedite the installation, thereby enhancing energy security for the island of La Gomera.”
Moreover, he explained that “the cable laying is linked to ongoing work at the substations of El Palmar (La Gomera) and Chío (Tenerife), infrastructure that will complete this interconnection.”
Irigoyen stated that “the submarine electrical interconnection between the two islands represents a significant advancement in the energy transition, as it will provide higher quality and reliability of energy supply, along with increased efficiency and decarbonisation of the electrical systems in Tenerife and La Gomera.”
Before 2026
The President of the Cabildo of La Gomera indicated that before the end of 2025, this strategic infrastructure connecting Chío with El Palmar will be operational, ensuring greater security and stability in the electricity supply.
According to José Miguel Ruano, this collaboration “strengthens the joint commitment between the islands to modernise and enhance electrical connectivity, particularly benefiting La Gomera in securing its electricity supply.”
Meanwhile, Airam Díaz noted that hosting this vessel at Granadilla port is crucial for consolidating this dock as a logistical and technical support hub for such operations within the strategic energy sector.
