ABB has selected Ecosse Subsea Systems (ESS) for seabed clearance and trenching project for the Caithness to Moray transmission link in northern Scotland.
Under the deal, ESS will set up the route for the 100-mile interconnector cable through the £1.2bn Caithness-Moray project, which will run from Spittal in Caithness to Blackhillock in Moray.
Owned by SHE Transmission, the transmission project will have a capacity to carry 1.2GW of renewable power to the chief UK power transmission network.
Prior to the laying of the cable by ABB, ESS will conduct boulder clearance operations and pre-lay trenching for the site.
The post-installation works will involve back-fill operations to ensure that the cable is protected and safely concealed.
ESS managing director Mike Wilson said: "Cable owners and manufacturers have recognised that our method reduces the risk of damage to the cable and our use of smaller charter vessels brings huge cost savings.
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By GlobalData"We also reduce the possibility of schedule disruption because, working ahead of the laying phase, we can identify and help solve any potential engineering problems with the proposed seabed route before it reaches a critical point."
Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "As well as having significant local and national supply chain benefits, the Caithness-Moray project will enable 1.2 GW of new renewable generation to connect to the high-voltage network providing enough electricity to power the equivalent of over 500,000 homes and also making a substantial contribution toward our renewable electricity target."
