Isle of Man to England Interconnector
The Isle of Man to England Interconnector is a submarine power cable connecting the transmission system of the Manx Electricity Authority to that of Great Britain. With an undersea section of approximately 104 kilometres (65 mi),[1] it is the longest AC undersea cable in the world.[2][a] It was laid in 1999 between Bispham, Blackpool, England, and Douglas Head on the Isle of Man, commencing commercial operations in November 2000. It is capable of continuous operation of 40 MW at 90 kV.
Isle of Man to England Interconnector | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | United Kingdom & Isle of Man |
Coordinates | 53°50′57″N 03°01′46″W 54°08′52″N 4°28′51″W |
From | Bispham, Blackpool, England |
Passes through | Irish Sea |
To | Douglas Head, Isle of Man |
Ownership information | |
Partners | National Grid plc |
Construction information | |
Manufacturer of conductor/cable | BICC, Erith Pirelli Cables, Southampton |
Construction started | 1999 |
Commissioned | 2000 |
Technical information | |
Type | submarine cable |
Type of current | AC |
Total length | 104 km (65 mi) |
Power rating | 40 MW |
AC voltage | 90 kV |
The cable was manufactured in two parts: one section at the former BICC works in Erith and the other at Pirelli Cables in Southampton. It ended the Isle of Man's dependence on local diesel-powered generation.[2] Power supplies to the island were increased in 2003 by an 85 MW combined cycle gas turbine power station at Pulrose, in the capital, Douglas.[3]
Notes
a. ^ Longer undersea cables exist, but all operate on direct current.
References
- Howarth, B.; Coates, M.; Renforth, L. (March 2006). "Fault location techniques for one of the World's longest AC interconnector cables". 8th IEE International Conference on AC and DC Power Transmission. pp. 14–18. ISBN 0-86341-613-6.
- "The Longest AC Subsea Cable in the World". Major Assets. Manx Electricity Authority. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- Pickin, M (2004). "Power to Pulrose". Power Engineer. IEEE. 18 (1): 14–16. ISSN 1479-8344.