📋 Tender Overview
Scope :
Celtic Interconnector is a proposed 700 MW HVDC submarine power cable between the southern coast of Ireland and the north-west coast of France. The project is a cooperation between the Irish transmission system operator (TSO) EirGrid and French TSO Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) for the purpose of improving security of supply, reducing consumer electricity costs and supporting the development of renewable energy. The project also includes plans for a direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and France.
The electrical interconnector would be the first between the two countries, has an expected cost of €1bn and a planned capacity of 700 MW[1] i.e. an annual transmission capacity of 6.1 TWh.
Of its total length of 575 km, 500 km would pass through Irish, British and French waters[1] of the Celtic Sea.
In July 2016 after completion of a feasibility study the two countries agreed to proceed with a two-year planning phase. The planning phase includes an economic assessment, environmental considerations and will determine the placement of the cable and onshore stations, with a decision initially due on the project is foreseen for 2020 or 2021. However, due to the potential impact of Brexit on electricity trading over the existing Ireland - UK HVDC interconnectors, planning for the Celtic Interconnector has accelerated in recent years. A planning application for the Irish landing site and converter station is expected by summer 2020. hree potential landing sites on the Cork coast have been identified and six locations (Ballyadam, Leamlara, Knockraha, Pigeon Hill, Kilquane and Ballyvatta) are under consideration for the HVDC converter station. In May 2018 the project was granted a Foreshore License to begin marine surveys for the potential landing sites at Ballinwilling, Claycastle and Redbarn Beaches, County Cork. The project has been given preliminary approval for European Investment Bank funding as part of preparations by Ireland for Brexit[9]. The project has been designated a European Project of Common Interest as part of the European Super Grid. The cable is expected to be operational by 2025.
Contractors involved
In November 2022, Siemens Energy secured a ‘mid three-digit million-euro range’ contract to deliver the HVDC transmission technology for the Celtic Interconnector. The contract works will include building converter stations in Ireland and France.
French cable manufacturer Nexans received the contract to design and install the 575km subsea cable for the project.
Nexans’ facilities in Halden (Norway) and Charleroi (Belgium) will manufacture the subsea and underground cables, respectively. The company will utilise its Aurora Cable Laying Vessel for laying subsea cables.
EirGrid Group and RTE contracted Wood for subsea engineering services for the Celtic Interconnector project. This included marine engineering studies for the design of a subsea power cable system, and technical project ma
