Basslink Interconnector Restoration Delayed Yet Again

By Corinne Reichert
May 25, 2018

The Basslink Interconnector subsea cable, which was due to return to service next week, has been delayed again.

According to Basslink, the cable will be back in operation in early June rather than the previous May 31 date due to “logistics and scheduling challenges beyond the control of Basslink”.

“Due to the highly specialised nature of the equipment needed for the repair as well as the time needed to source the required expertise, the repair is taking longer than expected,” Basslink CEO Malcolm Eccles said.

“However, we now have better visibility on the anticipated timeline. We will continue to work hard to bring the Basslink Interconnector back online as soon as possible.”

At the end of last month, Basslink had said it was “looking at every possible opportunity to expedite” the return-to-service date of May 31 after previously delaying the date from April 14 following third-party damage to the system.

“We have repaired a high-pressure system within a piece of equipment at the Victorian converter station. To return the interconnector to service, we require specialised expertise and equipment to be brought in to re-pressurise this equipment,” Basslink said a month ago.

“It is a highly technical exercise. The equipment was damaged by a third-party contractor during routine works. There is no damage to the cable itself.”

According to Basslink, it has “worked around the clock” with its manufacturing partners over the last week to formulate a repair and re-pressurisation process, as well as finding experts and equipment and working on logistics for carrying out the procedure.

Basslink had last month announced that it would be undertaking repairs on a piece of equipment on the submarine cable, which it said was damaged by a third party “during the routine maintenance at a transition station in Victoria”.

The wholesale energy portion of the cable remains down, while the delivery of wholesale telecommunications has been unaffected.

The company last month also revealed that its dispute with the state of Tasmania will be referred to arbitration after the two were unsuccessful in resolving it during “without prejudice” meetings.