North Sea Link, the first electricity link between Britain and Norway, will be laid with cable manufacturing quality and inspection carried out by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, the consultant has announced. National Grid North Sea Link Ltd has appointed WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to oversee cable production for the €2billion link, which will have a capacity of 1400MW when it is completed in 2021, enough power for almost three million homes. 

National Grid North Sea Link Ltd and Statnett are working together to construct the North Sea Link, which at 720km between Blyth in Northumberland and Kvilldal in Norway, will be the world’s longest subsea electricity interconnector.

A team of quality consultant engineers will provide third party inspection and audit services during the manufacture of the submarine and land cables supplied by Prysmian from Arco Felice in Italy. WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff’s involvement will ensure that the cables are manufactured and tested to specification, and that all the quality documentation is in place prior to shipment and installation.

“This is a crucial renewable project for the whole of the UK, and we look forward to demonstrating the value we can bring for our client National Grid North Sea Link Ltd," said WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff quality services assisatnt project manager Michael Carr. "To be part of the team that’s helping to deliver the longest subsea interconnector in the world is quite something and reinforces the high standing of our quality services team in the sector. The fact that the cable links into Blyth adds a little extra touch for me, being from the area.”

WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff has a good track record from working on high profile energy projects, the consultant says, including the £1.5bn Galloper Offshore Wind Farm, the £2bn Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm, and the 500MW East-West interconnector, which was voted as Engineers Ireland’s Project of the Year for 2013.