NKT Reaches Milestone in Greece’s Attica-Crete Power Cable Project
Denmark-based power cable manufacturer and installation company, NKT, has reached a significant milestone in Greece’s Attica-Crete power cable project with the successful completion of the site acceptance test.
The Attica-Crete electrical interconnection project, described as the largest electricity transmission project in Greece with a budget exceeding €1.1 billion, was completed at the end of 2024. Operations are expected to commence in the spring of 2025.
NKT reported the successful completion of the site acceptance test after nearly four and a half years since signing the contract. The cable system, comprised of 500 kV HVDC mass impregnated and MVDC onshore power cables, has been fully installed.
The power cable link connects the Attica region on the Greek mainland to the Heraklion area in Crete. Nexans provided one 500 MW HVDC subsea cable system, while Prysmian handled the other half of the interconnection and two subsea telecom links.
Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or ADMIE), the Greek transmission system operator, highlighted that the project ranks among the three deepest interconnections globally, with a capacity of 1,000 MW. This capacity leads in power transfer capacity for island systems, ensuring energy security for Crete and reducing annual CO2 emissions by 500,000 tons.
Recently, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned electric utility corporation, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), acquired a 20% share in Ariadne Interconnection, entering the interconnector project.
Progress in Taiwan’s Subsea Cable Factory Construction
NKT also reported significant progress in the construction of Taiwan’s first subsea cable factory, a joint venture with Walsin Energy Cable System (WECS).
The construction of the Kaohsiung Submarine Cable Factory in Taiwan is advancing rapidly, with critical activities scheduled for the remainder of the year. The outer shell of the factory is nearing completion, with the focus shifting to the installation and commissioning of key machines.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the factory was held in September 2023, with the facility expected to be operational by 2027. Jonas Alfson, Director of Special Projects at NKT, emphasized the extensive knowledge and experience from their other factories in the construction process.
With essential equipment either in manufacturing, transit, or already in Taiwan for assembly, NKT is on track to meet its construction timeline for the subsea cable factory.