• The Norwegian ship Skagerrak begins today in the Bay of Talamanca the works for the laying of the longest three-phase AC submarine cable in the world - 126 km in length
• Red Eléctrica will invest a total of 225 million euros in this project
• It will improve the stability and quality of supply and solve the problem of energy isolation of the islands

Red Eléctrica de España (REE) begins today in Ibiza the laying of the submarine cable for the electricity interconnection between Ibiza and Majorca. The Norwegian ship Skagerrak begins today the work of laying the first of two submarine cables that make up the interconnection, from the Bay of Talamanca, Ibiza, to the Bay of Santa Ponsa, Majorca. The Company will invest in this project, called ‘Romulo 2’, a total of 225 million euros.

The submarine electricity interconnection between Majorca and Ibiza is very important for the Balearic Islands, as it will guarantee the stability and quality of supply of the islands of Ibiza and Formentera and solve the problem of energy isolation of the islands, linking up the two existing electricity systems (Majorca-Menorca and Ibiza-Formentera). In addition, it reinforces the process initiated with the electricity interconnection between Majorca and mainland Spain through the project called ‘Rómulo’.

The link, which will come into service for a trial period in 2015, will allow a savings in costs in the Balearic Islands’ electricity system, given the reduced need for generation and the use of energy sources that are technically and economically more efficient and less polluting.

The interconnection between Majorca and Ibiza will be carried out using a double submarine link of 132 kilovolts (kV). With a length of 126 km, each circuit will consist of two three-phase cables with integrated fibre optics. Based on the characteristics of this installation, it is a pioneering project and a technological challenge of the highest level. Thus, the underwater section of the link, 118 km, is the longest in the world in alternating current and the deepest in its class, as it runs along the seabed at depths of up to 800 metres.

The land sections of this link, both in Ibiza and Majorca will be buried underground. In Ibiza, the 5 km section will run from Talamanca to the Torrent substation, located in the municipality of Santa Eulalia del Río. In Majorca, the 3 km section will run from the Santa Ponsa substation to the entry point of the link into the Bay of Santa Ponsa, taking advantage of the previous route of the Majorca-Spanish Peninsula link.

The ‘Rómulo 2’ project seeks at all times to respect the conservation of the natural heritage, fauna and flora of its natural habitats (terrestrial and marine), in accordance with the strict commitment to sustainability undertaken by Red Eléctrica. From the outset of the design phase of interconnection, a whole range of preventive and corrective measures have been planned in order to minimise the effects of the new infrastructure on the environment. Red Eléctrica has earmarked a total of 2,200,000 euros towards the compliance with the environmental requirements of the Majorca-Ibiza interconnection.

This commitment to sustainability, the territory and society is set out in the programme of cable laying actions and critical works which are to be carried out during the tourism off-season.

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