Underwater high voltage between France and Ireland

An electric link between France and Ireland

Issues

The Celtic Interconnector project consists of the creation of a 575 km electricity link – mainly at sea – allowing the direct exchange of electricity between France and Ireland.

Launched in 2014, this project meets the European challenges of energy transition and the fight against climate change by facilitating the development of renewable energies and the move towards a low-carbon electricity mix. It also contributes to strengthening electrical solidarity between the two countries.

Stake

The total budget alone – almost one billion euros – gives the dimension of the project, which is due to be commissioned in 2026. The principals were looking for a partner not only for the design phase but also for the construction phase.

Solution

Based in France and Ireland, the Orlade team has contributed, since 2020, to building the backbone of the project (WBS, CBS, OBS, RBS), a fundamental work for a work of this scale.

Next, the project control tools and processes had to be built, in particular part of the Project Management Plan, the setting up of the schedule, the implementation of the cost monitoring tool, the Document Management System as well as the risk register (the analysis of which was carried out with the Monte-Carlo method).

During the study phase, they were also involved in the purchasing process with a contribution to the choice of the two main suppliers (specifications and analysis of responses).

Our consultants also worked on the governance of the project (visual management, change management, indicators, etc.) as well as the creation of a catalyst link between the project leaders, to which they brought a strong added value.