Fenwick Elliott advises Nexans on landmark interconnector between France and Ireland

Fenwick Elliott has advised Nexans on its agreement to manufacture and construct the Celtic Interconnector, which will be the first subsea link for direct electricity exchange between France and Ireland. 

Fenwick Elliott’s team was led by Partner Jatinder Garcha, supported by Senior Associates Andrew Jeffcoat and Stephanie Panzic.

The project includes two 320 kV HVDC cables along a 500km subsea route, 40km underground route in France (Brittany), and 35km underground route in Ireland (Cork County). The 400 kV HVAC 10km connection to the Irish grid is also part of the project awarded to Nexans.
The cables will be produced in Nexans’ state-of-the-art facilities. The 1,000km of subsea cables will be manufactured in Halden (Norway) and the 180km underground cables will be manufactured in Charleroi (Belgium). Accessories will be manufactured in Cortaillod (Switzerland).

The 700MW interconnector developed by EirGrid and RTE the Transmission System Operators of Ireland and France is recognized as a project of common interest by the European Union, and will allow transmission of electricity equivalent  to the consumption of approximately 450,000 homes.

Jatinder comments: “We are proud to have supported Nexans on such a landmark project. The agreement paves the way for Nexans to deliver a critical and ambitious project for energy in Europe, and we would like to congratulate all parties involved in concluding the agreement.”