In 2011, the European cable and wire manufacturing industry has increased its annual production capacity to around 3,500 km of Extra High Voltage (EHV) cables. With this 40% increase since 2008, industry responds to the increased demand for partial undergrounding of transmission lines.
Europacable member companies manufacture cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) extra high voltage (EHV) underground cables at 22 production lines across Europe. Each line has a capacity to produce between 100 and 200 km of cable per year with an estimated average 150 km of EHV cable per year. Total production capacity therefore amounts to around 3,500 km of EHV cable/year. With this 40% increase since 2008, industry responds to increased demand in Europe and beyond.
This growth trend is expected to continue and – if required by short term demand - there is the also potential to upgrade some existing high voltage manufacturing lines to produce EHV cables.
The increased use of XLPE cables will also raise the demand for insulation materials with the estimated global demand expected to double between 2010 and 2015 to some 20 kilo tonnes.
Partial undergrounding to facilitate grid extension in Europe
The upgrading and refurbishment of European EHV transmission infrastructure is targeted to improve security of supply, to facilitate the internal electricity market and to connect renewable energy schemes to population centers so as to meet Europe’s ―20-20-20‖ targets.
Partial undergrounding of EHV transmission lines using XLPE cable technology will facilitate:
- Compliance with legislative requirements restricting new overhead lines within prescribed distances from properties;
- Response to local concerns of lines passing through sensitive environmental areas;
- Refurbishment of aging transmission infrastructure in urban areas; and
- Connection of onshore and offshore wind parks to the transmission network.
Europacable emphasizes the need to give high priority to the permission and completion of identified transmission projects in Europe. In this context, Europacable highlights the contribution of partial undergrounding as an effective solution for speeding up grid developments.
For further information please visit our website www.europacable.com or contact:
Dr. Volker Wendt, Director Public Affairs, Europacable, v.wendt@europacable.com
Europacable represents approximately 90% of the European wire and cable manufacturers. Founded in 1991, our 43 member companies and 12 national associations include global technology leaders as well SME’s highly specialized in the production of energy-, telecommunication- and data-cables. With over 55.000 employees across Europe, €20 billion of wire and cable consumption in 2009, Europacable member companies have produced some 38 million km of cables in Europe alone. Europacable is registered with the EU Institutions at 453103789-92.