ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The first of North America’s two longest submarine electricity cables
has arrived in Atlantic Canada onboard the cable laying vessel the
Skagerrak. Integral to Emera’s Maritime Link Project, these cables each
measure 170 km and weigh 5,500 tonnes – combined, the two cables weigh
more than the Eiffel Tower. The first cable was manufactured in Halden,
Norway, while the second cable, which is expected to arrive in mid-May,
was manufactured in Futtsu, Japan.
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Nexans' cable laying vessel, the Skagerrak, recently arrived in Canadian waters with the first submarine cable for the Maritime Link Project. This vessel and its highly specialized crew will be instrumental in laying both submarine cables for the Project. (Photo: Business Wire)
The arrival of the Skagerrak, operated by the cable supplier Nexans,
marks the start of the submarine cable installation process. Over the
next few weeks members of Nexans’ highly specialized crew will prepare
for the installation of the first electrical connection across the Cabot
Strait between Nova Scotia and the island of Newfoundland.
Throughout the various stages of the manufacturing process and transport
of each cable, members of Emera Newfoundland & Labrador’s Marine Team
have been monitoring and inspecting the progression to maintain quality
assurance.
“The arrival of the submarine cables is the result of more than three
years of dedication to safety and quality by our team,” says Rick
Janega, President and CEO, Emera NL. “Throughout the manufacturing
process, the successful testing phase and the transportation of cables,
the team’s commitment continues to be the driving force of our success
to date. This brings us another step closer to the completion of the
Maritime Link Project later this year.”
Nexans used two facilities for cable manufacturing, allowing both cables
to be produced at the same time. The cable manufactured in Futtsu,
Japan, was spooled onto a giant barge in early April, and then loaded
onto a heavy lift vessel (HLV) for the long journey to the Cabot Strait
to await installation.
The HLV carrying the second submarine cable from Japan will take
approximately six weeks to travel to the port in Sydney, NS. It will
travel across the Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal and then up
the Eastern Seaboard. Expected to arrive in mid-May, it will be loaded
onboard the Skagerrak once the first cable is installed. Installation of
both submarine cables is expected to be completed by late summer.
Forward Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking
information requires Emera to make assumptions and is subject to
inherent risks and uncertainties.
About The Maritime Link Project
The Maritime Link Project is part of a larger strategy to address the
growing demand for more renewable energy in the region. It will enable
the transmission of clean, renewable and reliable electricity from
Newfoundland and Labrador to Nova Scotia.
The Maritime Link is a 500 MW high voltage direct current (HVdc)
transmission project bringing clean renewable energy from the Lower
Churchill project at Muskrat Falls to Nova Scotia. The Project will
include two 170 km subsea cables across the Cabot Strait, with almost 50
km of overland transmission in Nova Scotia and more than 300 km of
overland transmission on the island of Newfoundland.
About EmeraInc.
Emera Inc. is a geographically diverse energy and services company
headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with approximately $29 billion in
assets and 2016 revenues of more than $4 billion. The company invests in
electricity generation, transmission and distribution, gas transmission
and distribution, and utility energy services with a strategic focus on
transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera has
investments throughout North America, and in four Caribbean countries.
Emera continues to target having 75-85% of its adjusted earnings come
from rate-regulated businesses. Emera’s common and preferred shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the
symbol EMA, EMA.PR.A, EMA.PR.B, EMA.PR.C, EMA.PR.E, and EMA.PR.F.
Depositary receipts representing common shares of Emera are listed on
the Barbados Stock Exchange under the symbol EMABDR. Additional
Information can be accessed at www.emera.com
or at www.sedar.com.
EDITORS NOTE: Photos and videos of the vessel and cable manufacturing
are available upon request.
Quick Facts
Dimensions and Scope
At 170 km in length, these two cables will create the longest submarine
electricity connection in North America. As part of the Maritime Link
Project, they will provide an electricity connection between the island
of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for the very first time. These cables
will also help form a new electrical energy loop in Atlantic Canada that
will provide greater access to the North American electricity grid.
Each submarine cable is:
-
250 megawatts (+/- 200 kilovolts) high voltage direct current (HVdc).
-
170 km in length.
-
10 cm in diameter (similar in size to a two litre soft drink bottle).
-
Approximately 5,500 tonnes; combined, the two cables weigh more than
the Eiffel Tower.
Cable Design
The cables are made up of 14 layers. The centerpiece is a copper
conductor.
Each additional layer provides protection, making up about two thirds of
the diameter of the cable.
Manufacturing
-
Nexans is the contractor responsible for the design, manufacturing and
installation of the submarine cables.
-
Manufactured at facilities in Futtsu, Japan, and Halden, Norway, both
cables successfully completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) in
March 2017.
-
Cable installation will begin in late April and is expected to be
completed by the first week of September 2017.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170427005291/en/
Media Contact:
Emera Newfoundland & Labrador
Jeff
Myrick, 709-727-4754
Senior Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
Jeff.Myrick@emera.com
Source: Emera Inc.