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DeepOcean 1 UK has been awarded a contract by J-Power Systems Corporation for the provision of all marine works for the Nemo Link Interconnector Project.

The Nemo Link interconnector will deliver a 1000 MW electricity link between the UK and Belgium.

Nemo Link will consist of subsea and underground cables connected to a converter station and an electricity substation in each country, which will allow electricity to flow in either direction between the two countries. The site for the converter station and electricity substation in the UK is a site, formerly occupied by the Richborough Power Station. A similar converter station and substation is being built in the industry zone in Herdersbrug in Bruges, Belgium.

DeepOcean will execute all marine works associated with the installation and protection of the HVDC bundled cables from the transition joint bay in Kent, UK to the transition joint bay in Zeebrugge, Belgium. The project will be executed over a three year period starting in 2016 with the offshore works completing in 2018. In addition to the installation and trenching of the bundled cable system, the work scope includes route surveys and engineering, PLGR, out of service cable clearance, pre-sweeping in sandwave areas and crossings construction.

The bundled HVDC cables will be installed by the Maersk Connector, DeepOcean’s new build vessel due for delivery in the first quarter of 2016. The vessel is capable of grounding out with its seven points mooring system which allows the cable system to be installed without the requirement for a separate shallow water cable lay vessel, thus minimizing the number of cable joints required. The 7000Te carousel system accommodates bundled installation of high specification cables with no requirement to coil the cables, the company explained.

The burial of the cables will be undertaken by DeepOcean’s T3200 mechanical and jetting trenching vehicle. Protection of the cables in water depths of less than 10m will be undertaken by DeepOcean’s T2 tracked mechanical and jetting vehicle.

DeepOcean’s CEO Bart Heijermans said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to support J-Power Systems on this prestigious project with our state of the art installation and trenching systems as well with as our APM certified project management teams. This is the third project we have been awarded for the Maersk Connector. DeepOcean has installed and trenched over 900 km of power cables globally, thus building a proven reputation within the market place. The execution of the Nemo Link project will further strengthen DeepOcean’s position in the market as an independent leading cable installation and trenching contractor.”