SUBSEA CONNECTION: The Aberdeen-based Hydro Group has secured a £500,000 contract from JDR Cable Systems to provide a new high voltage subsea connector for the UK's pioneering Wave Hub wave and tidal energy infrastructure project.
Being developed by the South West Regional Development Agency, with UK government and European Regional Development Fund backing, Wave Hub will be situated in 50m of water 16km off the coast of Cornwall and connected to the national grid via subsea cable (OE September 2009).
Designed to meet the specific needs of the marine renewables market, the Hydro Renewable Connector (HRC) connects wave or tidal power generation units to heavy armoured seabed cables. The current design is rated at 12kV and Hydro Group managing director Doug Whytesaid future product development will increase the operating voltage to 33kV. OE