A Breakthrough in Cable Wrapping Technology

A Breakthrough in Cable Wrapping Technology: Reducing CO2 Emissions and Costs

A revolutionary cable wrap technology has been given the green light by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) after achieving an impressive 85% reduction in CO2 emissions on a recent cabling project. The patented Eco Cable Protect system, developed by the McGowan Group, has been officially approved for future projects by SSEN, marking a significant milestone for the technology.

The Eco Cable Protect system, deployed at SSEN’s Burn of Whilk Cable Remediation Project, applies an Extruded High Density Polyethylene mesh wrap to power cables, eliminating the need for fine fill to surround underground cables. This innovative approach resulted in significantly reduced project costs and an astounding 85% reduction in CO2e emissions compared to traditional methods.

Shirley Robertson, SSEN’s Head of Strategic Planning and Sustainability, expressed her enthusiasm for the technology, stating that sustainable thinking can lead to improvements in traditional project drivers like cost and time. The successful use of the Eco Cable Protect system at the Burn of Whilk project showcased its compatibility with both traditional open cut and trenchless cable burial methods.

The traditional method of using fine fill surround for the cable installation would have generated an estimated 244 tonnes of CO2e and required over 13,500 tonnes of fine fill, resulting in a significant environmental impact. In contrast, the Eco Cable Protect system produced just 37 tonnes of CO2e and required minimal machinery and no temporary roads, leading to a reduction of 207 tonnes of CO2e at the Burn of Whilk project.

Following its success at Burn of Whilk, the Eco Cable Protect system was used for the installation of over 60km of 33kV high voltage underground cable for SSEN Distribution at Moy. This project, part of a £7.2m initiative to deliver cabling across Inverness and Caithness, further demonstrated the system’s effectiveness in reducing CO2 emissions and project costs.

Derek Mackay, Director of McGowan Group, expressed his excitement at the acceptance of the cable wrap technology by SSEN, highlighting the environmental benefits and cost savings associated with its use. He emphasised the company’s commitment to environmentally sensitive civils projects and the positive impact of the Eco Cable Protect system on reducing the carbon footprint and project costs.

The presentation on the cable wrapping system by Derek Mackay at SSEN Distribution Sustainability supplier conferences in Reading and Perth generated significant interest and excitement, reflecting the industry’s recognition of the technology’s potential to revolutionize power line cabling.

With over 80km of cable installed using the Eco Cable Protect system, the technology has not only achieved substantial reductions in CO2e emissions and cost savings but has also demonstrated reliability, with no in-service cable faults reported. The cable wrap system has proven to be effective in eliminating sheath faults and has had no negative impact on cable performance, further validating its success.

The approval and successful implementation of the Eco Cable Protect system by SSEN mark a significant step towards sustainable and cost-effective power line cabling, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious infrastructure projects.