Installation of a new undersea power cable to connect Kangaroo Island to the SA electricity distribution network is almost complete.

The 20,000 kVA /33,000 Volt cable is 15 kilometres long and manufactured as one continuous length without any joints. This is the longest continuous undersea cable to be installed in Australia.

SA Power Networks’ General Manager, Networks Mark Vincent said the new cable has double the capacity of the existing cable.

“The new supply will provide well in excess of anticipated peak demand growth on the island over the next 30 years,” Mark Vincent said. “The new cable also has fibre optic cables for protection and monitoring of the cable, and surplus fibre optic cables will be offered to telecommunication companies to provide additional telephone and internet services to the island.

“We’re keeping the existing 10,000 kVA / 33,000 Volt cable while it is serviceable to act as a back-up supply to the island and maintain the backup power station at Kingscote.”

Cable laying operations took place between 1 and 9 June and involved more than 100 ship crew, divers, support boats and project personnel working between Fisheries Beach on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula near Cape Jervis, and Cuttlefish Bay on Kangaroo Island. Additional work to connect the new cable to the SA electricity network is planned for next month, with the project’s expected conclusion by October.

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

For further information, please contact SA Power Networks Media: 0403 582 500.