World’s Deepest Power Cable Connection Completed
In a significant step forward for the Canary Islands’ energy infrastructure, Redeia’s subsidiary Red Eléctrica de España has announced the successful completion of the submarine cable laying for the new electrical interconnection between Tenerife and La Gomera. The ambitious project, which is on track to be fully operational by the end of this year, represents a feat of modern engineering.
A Challenging Deep-Sea Installation
The intricate process of laying the double-circuit cable began on August 29th. The specialized cable-laying vessel, the Cable Enterprise from Prysmian’s fleet, executed two separate crossings from San Sebastián de La Gomera to Punta Blanca in Tenerife. Thanks to favorable sea conditions in the area, the work was completed ahead of schedule. The remaining work includes two cable protection campaigns scheduled for autumn and early winter, the connection of the cables in transition chambers, and a series of final tests in November.
Record-Breaking Engineering
This project posed a formidable challenge both in its design and execution. The submarine section stretches approximately 36 kilometers and reaches a maximum depth of 1,145 meters. This incredible depth makes it the deepest 66 kV AC three-core submarine power cable link in the world. To withstand the immense pressure and demanding conditions of its deep-sea environment, the cable required a specially adapted and reinforced design utilizing lightweight, high-strength materials.
Prioritizing Environmental Protection
Due to its length and complexity, bringing the cable ashore on both islands required innovative solutions to protect the biodiversity of the shallow waters and the unique, heterogeneous nature of the volcanic seabed. The team employed directional drilling technology, which involves feeding the cable into the sea through a microtunnel that emerges hundreds of meters from the coast. This technique completely eliminates any impact on the biological communities in the coastal drilling section.
Minimizing the Visual and Ecological Footprint
The entire infrastructure also includes two fully buried terrestrial sections on La Gomera and Tenerife, as well as two new substations: El Palmar on La Gomera and Chío in Tenerife. The El Palmar substation was recently completed, while the Chío substation has been in service since the beginning of this year. The route for the interconnection was meticulously planned to minimize the visual impact on the landscape and ensure the highest possible level of protection for local vegetation and wildlife.
A Brighter, Greener Energy Future
This submarine interconnection is a key part of Spain’s 2021-2026 Electricity Transmission Network Development Plan. It is an essential piece of infrastructure that will dramatically enhance the quality and security of the power supply for La Gomera. By unifying the electrical systems of the two islands, it will enable a greater integration of renewable energy sources and help reduce overall generation costs. Furthermore, it paves the way for Tenerife’s ecological transition by allowing it to utilize surplus renewable energy generated on La Gomera.
