MMT to Survey Between Italy and Malta

MMT, Norway, has been contracted by Nexans Norway AS to carry out a pre-engineering marine survey of an 80m wide corridor between Qalet Marku in Malta and Marina di Ragusa in Sicily. Enemalta Corporation owns the 100km project for the HVAC Malta - Sicily Submarine Electrical Interconnector. This electrical interconnector has a nominal capacity of 200MW. The survey operation will be conducted by MMT survey vessel Franklin (length 56 metres).  

The survey set-up aboard the vessel is optimal for the proposed survey area with a maximum water depth of 157metres. Franklin will conduct all aspects of the offshore survey including the geophysical survey, geotechnical sampling and habitat mapping using a sub-bottom profiler, side scan sonar, GNSS RTG, ROTV, multi-beam echo sounder EM3002 and EM710. The geotechnical sampling and habitat mapping will be conducted using a gravity corer and ROV.

 

The interconnector is designed to provide Malta with its first power interconnection with mainland Europe, reducing the island's reliance on local power generation and increase the security of electrical power supply. Nexans Norway AS has been awarded this turnkey contract which is commissioned by Enemalta Corporation. The interconnector will be operational in 2013. The 220 kV interconnector will ensure that 200 MW is continuously delivered to the all receiving ends in order to facilitate the import and export of power between Malta and Sicily.

 

Image: MMT survey vessel Franklin during mobilisation in Valetta, Malta.