The Cable Enterprise, which will deploy the world’s deepest three-core alternating current cable at a depth of 1,145 metres, is one of the few vessels internationally capable of this type of work.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 20 Aug. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The cable-laying ship Cable Enterprise docked on Wednesday at the port of Granadilla in Tenerife to finalise preparations for the installation of the underwater electrical cable by Red Eléctrica. This cable is considered the world’s deepest three-core alternating current cable and is set to connect the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera in 2025.
According to a statement from the Cabildo of La Gomera, Red Eléctrica, a company under Redeia responsible for the operation and transport of the electrical system, is nearing completion of the underwater electrical interconnection work between the islands of Tenerife and La Gomera, with the expectation of finishing this year.
This was confirmed during a visit to the ship by the Canary Islands’ Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano Hernández Zapata; the President of the Cabildo of La Gomera, Casimiro Curbelo; and the Second Vice-President of the Insular Cabildo of Tenerife, José Miguel Ruano, among other local authorities.
Also present were the General Director of Energy for the Canary Islands, Alberto Hernández, and the Deputy Director of the Port Authority of Tenerife, Airam Díaz Pastor, accompanied by Red Eléctrica’s Project Director, Pablo García Celaá, and Redeia’s Delegate in the Canary Islands, Ainara Irigoyen.
OPERATION
For these tasks, Red Eléctrica has enlisted one of the most advanced ships available. The Cable Enterprise is part of the Prysmian fleet, a world leader in manufacturing, supplying, and designing cables, and is equipped to remain stable and autonomous even under adverse weather conditions.
This vessel can simultaneously carry out cable laying and burial operations and can support up to 180 tonnes.
By the end of August, the Cable Enterprise will commence installation work on the seabed for the first circuit of the interconnection from La Gomera—an infrastructure included in the current planning.
This underground-submarine double circuit at 66 kV, with a transport capacity of 50 MVA per circuit, consists of a submarine section approximately 36 km long, operating at a maximum depth of 1,145 m, along with two land sections on La Gomera and Tenerife. Its completion is anticipated by late 2025.
ENSURING SUPPLY
The Canary Islands’ Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano H. Zapata, emphasised that the development of this work is part of the ministry’s energy strategy aimed at ensuring supply to the islands through various measures, including interconnection.
He further celebrated that this initiative “will allow the Canary Islands to continue advancing towards greater incorporation of renewable energy and, consequently, towards our decarbonisation goals.”
He noted that this strategic project has “the highest environmental care guarantees.” Additionally, he specified that the cable laying is linked to ongoing work at the El Palmar (La Gomera) and Chío (Tenerife) substations, infrastructures that will facilitate the completion of this interconnection.
The Redeia delegate in the Canary Islands, Ainara Irigoyen, stated that the underwater electrical interconnection between the two islands represents “a significant advancement” in the energy transition, as it will provide “greater quality and guaranteed energy supply, as well as increased efficiency and decarbonisation of the islands’ electrical systems.”
She also acknowledged the “challenge” posed by the project, given the distance of 36 km and depth of 1,145 metres below sea level.
