Prysmian sets milestone in the realisation of SuedOstLink

The Prysmian Group, global market leader in the field of energy and telecommunications cables and systems, has produced the first 20 kilometres of underground cable for the SuedOstLink, one of Germany's most important high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines for transporting wind power from the north to consumers in southern regions. Production was carried out in accordance with international standards and the customer specifications of the Dutch-German transmission system operator TenneT TSO GmbH. An extended factory acceptance test was successfully carried out as proof. The first cables - a total of nine drums, each with 1,750 metres of underground cable and weighing 83 tonnes each - are being transported to an interim storage facility. In total, Prysmian will produce around 550 kilometres of underground cable for TenneT for an approximately 270-kilometre section of the SuedOstLink (Project 5, from the southern German connection point Isar near Landshut in Bavaria). Two HVDC underground cables will be laid in a trench for Project 5.

"We are proud to be involved in this strategic project that supports the energy transition in Europe," explains Detlev Waimann, CCO of Prysmian Powerlink. "The innovative P-Laser cable technology combined with the Prysmian Group's many years of experience in installation enables greater sustainability and a reduction in the impact on site," he emphasises.

P-Laser cable technology enables 30 per cent CO2 reduction

Prysmian supports the energy transition in Germany with recyclable power cables. The P-Laser cable system allows a transferable capacity of 2 GW on a single system. The ±525 kV HVDC underground cable system uses extruded cables at the highest voltage level. The copper cables, in combination with the innovative P-Laser insulation technology developed by Prysmian, enable particularly high transmittable power with minimal environmental impact. The fully qualified high-performance insulation system is based on sound experience in medium-voltage applications and was developed and tested following extensive trials with stringent qualification tests. P-Laser is suitable for the highest voltage levels and offers improved thermal performance and high reliability for more flexible and sustainable solutions. At the same time, P-Laser is the first 100 per cent recyclable, environmentally friendly high-performance cable technology based on HPTE (High Performance Thermoplastic Elastomer). This technology requires no post-treatment such as degassing, which shortens production time and reduces CO2 emissions in production by 30 per cent.

Space-saving installation with high transmittable power

The ±525 kV HVDC underground cable from Prysmian is a cable system designed with large conductor cross-sections for high transmittable power over long distances. Its particular advantage is minimised space consumption - the ±525 kV technology enables a reduced amount of cable to transmit the same power compared to 380 kV systems, for example. This minimises the amount of construction work required to install the system, including trench widths. The scope of delivery also includes an integrated PRY-CAM monitoring system for wireless recording and monitoring of the system status.

In addition to SuedOstLink, Prysmian is also involved in the SuedLink and A-Nord power lines. A multicultural project development and management team in offices in Bayreuth, Würzburg and Wuppertal is available to provide the best possible support for the three projects and the responsible transmission system operators. The team is led by Alberto Boffelli, COO Project BU, Heiko Dirks, Regional Manager, Riccardo Fabbri, Portfolio Manager and Francesco Gravame, Project Manager for the SuedOstLink. Around 200 employees of the Prysmian Group are already involved in extensive preparations for the three important electricity transmission projects as part of the energy transition in Germany and Europe. In Germany, Prysmian is a leading cable supplier for energy supply and telecommunications with around 1,900 employees, six plants and four R&D centres.