| Estlink |  |
Helping develop the Baltic and Nordic energy markets by connecting the power grids of Finland and Estonia |
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| Principal Sponsor: - AS Nordic Energy Link Our Customer: ABB Completion Date: 2006 The Project: In 2004, AS Nordic Energy Link was established to complete the submarine power cable and connect the power grids of Finland and Estonia – the Estlink project. Cable construction to ensure a reliable and secure electricity supply between Helsinki and Tallinn was awarded to ABB, which selected Global Marine Systems to lay the cable. Why Global Marine Systems? "Global Marine Systems has extensive experience in the power industry, ranging from oil and gas, electricity through to wind farm installations and this knowledge, coupled with its innovative technology, made us highly confi dent that our mission critical installation was in safe hands." - Verne Abrahamsson, ABB The Challenges: In areas with high thermal conductivity soils, burial depth requirements were exacting. Negotiating the narrow Finnish archipelago presented a further challenge. Global Marine Systems Delivered: During the first stage, the CS Sovereign had two seventeen metre cable tanks and loading arms installed to accommodate the size of the Estlink cables. The two 77km high voltage cables were then loaded onto the Sovereign and tested during offshore trials. Stage two involved one end of the cables being floated ashore and connected to the Estonian mainland at Tallinn. The Baltic installation process then truly began. Throughout the project the underwater Inspection ROV Super Mohawk was used to monitor the touchdown position of the cable to ensure it avoided seafloor obstacles. On reaching Helsinki, the other ends of the Estlink cable were connected and tested. The project went live in late 2006. Resources Deployed: CS Sovereign - one of the most advanced off-shore engineering ships of its kind. Super Mohawk - light work class vehicle built for light intervention and inspection works Atlas 1 - ultra-heavy work class ROV designed for intervention, trenching, umbilical and power cable maintenance and post lay and inspection roles.  |
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Facts & Features
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| What's being connected | Power grids between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia. |
| Type of cable | Two 77km high voltage cables, weighing approximately 4000 tonnes |
| Cable manufacturer | ABB |
| Voltage of cable | 150 kV DC |
| Energy output | NA - interlink cable between Finland and Estonia |
