Work on the repair of the Moyle Interconnector cables is due to start in early August 2015. This notice provides a brief update on the construction schedule, the production of a Fisheries Liaison and Mitigation Action Plan for the project, and the consultaiton on the Cable Burial Assessment Plan for the cables.
Fisheries Liaison Mitigation Action Plan
A Fisheries Liaison and Mitigation Action Plan (FLMAP) has been prepared for this project. The document can be downloaded here and is summarised below.
The FLMAP sets out how the cable repair work will be carried out in a way that will minimise disturbance of fishing activities both before, during and after the work is carried out. At the heart of this plan is a commitment to ensure that information about the nature and location of works is provided in good time and circulated widely.
In order to ensure the safety of both the cable and marine users in the area, guard vessels will be used throughout the marine works.
If you have any comments or queries about the Fisheries Liaison and Mitigation Action Plan, please contact us either by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865).
Cable Burial Assessment Plan
A Cable Burial Assessment Plan (CBAP) has been produced for the cable route, in order to meet licensing conditions set by the Scottish and Northern Ireland Governments. This document was issued for consultation by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland on the 9th July 2015. A copy of the CBAP can be downloaded here and is briefly summarised below.
Along most of the cable route, the cable will be buried after it has been laid on the seabed. The only areas where cable burial is not expected to be possible are in the shallow water close to the landfall at the Northern Irish and Scottish coasts, and also in part of the North Channel. The new cable will also be laid on the surface and protected with rock at the four cable and pipeline crossings along the route.
In the shallow water close to the Scottish and Northern Irish landfalls, the new cable will be laid at the edge of the rock berms covering the existing Moyle Interconnector cable before being covered with additional rock protection.
DARD have requested comments on the cable burial assessment plan by the 30th July 2015. If you have any queries about the document, please get in touch with us either by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865)
Project Schedule
Cable installation work is now due to start on the 4th August 2015 (weather permitting). The installation of the first cable will start at Currarie Port (near Ballantrae, Girvan, Scotland) and proceed towards Portmuck South (near Larne, Islandmagee, Northern Ireland). The cable route is illustrated in the map available here. The northern cable is due to be laid on the seabed by the 12th August 2015.
Cable burial work is due to start on the 12th August 2015. On this date divers will commence operations on the near shore cable route in Scotland and then in Northern Ireland, with completion of diving works scheduled for 11th September. Offshore trenching work is due to start on the 12th August and is due to be finished on the 3rd September.
Rock protection work is due to take place on the nearshore cable (up to 10m below CD) from the 12th-22nd August 2015. Rock protection in deeper waters is due to take place along the route at cable crossings and other location between the 22nd September and 29th October 2015.
When work has been completed on the north cable, the laying of the south cable will commence. This is currently scheduled to start on the 27th September 2015 and all protection work is due to be completed by 13th January 2016. An update on this phase of the project will be provided in future bulletins.
Please contact Jim Andrews, Fishery Liaison Officer by e-mail or phone (+44(0)7908-225865) if you have any queries or concerns about this notice.