Construction work is continuing on a £311 million electricity interconnector project across the English Channel.

The IFA2 scheme, a joint venture between National Grid and RTE France, involves installing electricity cables under the Channel across to France from a local substation in Chilling, United Kingdom. Once finished, the project will provide electricity to the wider market for domestic purposes.

VolkerTrenchless Solutions is well underway with drilling the first set of landfall connectors, which will allow cables to pass under the English Channel across to France. The company is using a 250-tonne drilling rig, located 100 metres in-shore and close to the substation site, to drill under the cliffs and exit 650 metres out to sea, allowing the power cable to be safely installed.

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In addition, VolkerTrenchless Solutions is also providing marine support during the installation of the polyethylene ducts, which will be extruded in one continuous length for each of the six drillings. Works are due to be complete this month, with final project completion expected in 2020.

Maurits van Balen Blanken, General Manager at VolkerTrenchless Solutions, said: "We are delighted to be working on such a prestigious project that will allow the flow of power between France and the UK. This project highlights our unique trenchless capabilities as a leader in the underground drilling market."

(LM)