Undersea cable plugs UK into Netherlands Europe has taken a step towards securing a sustainable supply of electricity for the future with the construction of the BritNed Interconnector, an innovative development to link electricity supply between the UK and the Netherlands. >> 12rangeinternational

The 1 600 million scheme is a joint venture between the UK's National Grid and energy transmission company TenneT in the Netherlands, and will create a permanent link to transport electricity between the two countries via a 260km cable laid under the North Sea. As well as ensuring a secure source of electricity, the Interconnector will open up the European energy market by increasing diversity of supply and enabling energy trading. Experts were commissioned from both Royal Haskoning's Dutch and UK offices. Royal Haskoning Netherlands provided engineering design and architecture for the two converter facilities, to be based on the Isle of Grain in Kent and at Maasvlakte in the Netherlands. Royal Haskoning UK was brought in to oversee the design and layout of the Grain converter facility, and to use their expertise to overcome specific challenges such as poor ground conditions. Carl Jones, Project Manager for Royal Haskoning UK, said: " The integrated approach between the Royal Haskoning teams was key to the scheme's success. Royal Haskoning Netherlands brought extensive experience from working on NorNed, an interconnector project in Norway, while the UK team provided construction and legislative expertise to ensure the optimum outcome of the Grain converter facility." Preparation of the 100 acre Grain site began in 2008. The challenge for Royal Haskoning was to strengthen the ground, a mixture of loose clay and gravel, so it could support the converter facility. Measuring an impressive 140 metres long by 43 metres wide, the facility also houses six 240 tonne transformers. The ground was stabilised using driven cast in- situ piling. Over four months 1250 hollow steel tubes, each 30 metres long and half a metre wide, were driven into the land and filled with concrete. The tubes distribute the weight of the building towards deeper ground, Electricity providers and consumers across Europe will benefit from the favourable market conditions and secure supply created by the success of the BritNed Interconnector. The expertise demonstrated by Royal Haskoning's multidisciplinary team throughout the design, construction and implementation phases of the project was commendable. Nick Pethick, Civil Consultant, BritNed " " BritNed a conglomerate of National Grid and TenneT Holding B. V. BAM Civiel Netherlands Construction BAM Nuttall Ltd UK Construction BAM Grondtechniek Piling Design ACDP Consulting Engineers UK Building Services Design EES Group Earthing Design and compress the shallower earth above to increase its load bearing capacity. The outer building and substructures of both converter facilities were completed in 2009 and the 260 kilometre, 1000 megawatt capacity cable is currently being laid beneath the North Sea by a specialist cable- laying vessel. The BritNed Interconnector will be operational in 2011. When BritNed is live, it will become part of a new era of trans- European energy networks, offering a secure supply of electricity with significant benefits for energy producers and consumers. Royal Haskoning is currently working with other European countries to evaluate the feasibility of building future electricity links. For a full account of this project go to: www. royalhaskoning. co. uk or www. britned. com Carl Jones c. jones@ royalhaskoning. com rangeinternational >> 13