wiredInUSA April 2017

Quality monitoring

Strategic divestment complete

UK’s National Grid North Sea Link Ltd has appointed WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to provide cable manufacturing quality and inspection services on a $2.1 billion interconnector to link the Nordic and British markets. National Grid North Sea Link is working with Statnett to construct what will be theworld’s longest subsea interconnector. When completed, it will consist of approximately 720km of HVDC cable. The interconnector, scheduled to be operational in 2021, will link Kvilldal in Norway with Blyth in the UK. Michael Carr, assistant project manager, said: “The key to achieve this is to work alongside Prysmian to identify any potential manufacturing quality issues prior to installation, as costs to repair the cable once installed can be significant. “WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff is keen to demonstrate [its] track record in this sector to capitalize on the ever-increasing number of interconnector projects around the world.” Continuous testing will be carried out until 2021.

ABB has finalized the divestment of its high voltage cables and cable accessories businesses to NKT Cables. The transaction was completed on 1 st March 2017. The sale, originally announced in September 2016, is in line with ABB’s commitment to active portfolio management, a key element of its next level strategy. By combining two strong cable portfolios and maintaining access to supply through a long-term strategic partnership, a more competitive cable business on a larger scale is created under NKT Cables’ ownership. As part of the strategic partnership, ABB and NKT Cables will work together on projects and research. NKT Cables’ projects business will be headed by Andreas Berthou, former SVP of ABB HV cables. Berthou has been with the company since 1999 and has extensive experience with the onshore and offshore AC/DC industry. Detlev Waimann, former head of NKT Cables’ projects business, will take up a position as chief technology officer.

wiredInUSA - April 2017

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