BOURBON has completed the installation of subsea electrical cable for SABELLA’s D10 tidal energy project off the island of Ushant, France.

After 2 weeks of preparation, the laying of the electrical cable was conducted from May 23 - 26 2015, in a window of favorable weather.

Teams from BOURBON and SABELLA landed, placed, and buried 30 tons of 68 mm diameter cable over 2 km at depths from 0 to 60 m in the Fromveur Passage to Ushant.

“This cable laying is an essential step of the Sabella D10 project: it makes it possible to connect the tidal turbine to shore. This is a delicate operation, given the very strong currents in the area. We were able to rely with confidence on the expertise and know-how of the BOURBON teams,” said Fanch Le Bris, SABELLA CEO.

The final immersion of the tidal turbine is expected to occur by late June.

The first tidal turbine mass developed in France, Sabella D10 is a demonstrator that will supply 15% of the island’s energy needs for 1 year. This project follows the installation of an experimental prototype tidal turbine called Sabella D3 in 2008. The data returned will be analyzed and make it possible, ultimately, if it proves successful, to mass produce new, more powerful turbines, to be installed by 2017. An “experimental tidal farm” of 3 Sabella D15 type turbines linked to an energy storage system would then cover 70% of Ushant’s electricity needs, SABELLA explained.