A new undersea power cable to supply Kangaroo Island is on its way from China by ship, with installation expected to be completed in early June 2018.

Weighing 600 tonnes and 15 kilometres long, the new cable will be the longest continuous (joint-free) power cable to be installed in Australia.

The cable has been manufactured by ZTT International in China and is now on its way by ship (HHL Richards Bay) to Port Adelaide where it will be transferred to a cable-laying vessel (Fugro Southern Star).

It will connect Kangaroo Island to the SA electricity distribution network via connection points at Cuttlefish Bay on Kangaroo Island and at Fishery Beach on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula near Cape Jervis.

“The existing 10,000 kVA / 33,000 Volt undersea cable is reaching the end of its life and will be replaced with a 20,000 kVA /33,000 Volt cable, with total project costs estimated to be $39 million,” said Paul Roberts, Corporate Affairs Manager for SA Power Networks.

“The new submarine cable will have more than enough capacity to meet anticipated peak demand growth on the Island for the next 30 years, which is the expected life of the cable.”

Perth-based specialist Fugro has been contracted to supply and install the undersea cable and complete associated termination/connection works on a full turnkey basis. Additional work will be required to augment network infrastructure on the mainland and on Kangaroo Island to integrate the new cable into the South Australian electricity grid

“While the new cable will be capable of supplying the Island from its commissioning in June, our associated works will continue through to September,” Mr Roberts said.

“The new cable is due for delivery to Port Adelaide around 21 May and cable laying is anticipated to be completed by early June, subject to weather conditions or any unforeseen circumstances.”

Kangaroo Island is the third largest island off the coast of Australia, situated 15 kilometres off the tip of Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia and has a population of about 4,500 people.

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