Preparations for repair of the NorNed cable between Norway and the Netherlands are currently well underway, TenneT says in an update on the NorNed-failure. The problem was caused by a cable failure approx. 300 metres off the Dutch coast.

A new cable section will replace the portion of the cable affected by the failure, and is now ready to be transported from Eemshaven harbour in the north of the Netherlands. All the specialised vessels, equipment and staff required for the repair work are also ready for deployment.

The repair works at sea are expected to start by the end of next week. After the old cable has been excavated, the defective cable section will be removed and the new cable installed. This highly specialised procedure is known as ‘jointing’ and will take approximately one week per joint. Successful installation of the new cable will be followed by a test phase. The cable will be put back into operation once all the tests have been completed.

Subject to favourable weather conditions and other factors, TenneT expects that the cable can be put back into operation by the second half of June, i.e. earlier than the previously announced ten-week period. The cause of the cable failure is as yet unknown and will be investigated after the repairs have been completed.

Source: statnett ,May 11, 2011;