Energy consultancy Xodus has agreed a four-year deal to provide marine services for inspections on the main power link between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Moyle Interconnector connects the grids of Northern Ireland and Scotland, while the Scotland to Northern Ireland pipeline carries gas along a 135km route from Twynholm to Ballylumford.
The subsea section of the cable runs 55km, while the pipeline covers a 40km stretch into the Belfast Gas Transmission Pipeline.
Inspection work is due to begin this month after Xodus agreed a deal to procure a survey contractor for investigation of the networks and their integrity.
“The cable and pipeline systems connecting the two countries are strategically important energy assets and there is a need to maintain maximised integrity now and in the future for consistent energy supply,” said Xodus global director James Hunt.
The company will also carry out on-call emergency response and marine advice work, with the deal due to last until August 2017. It includes scope for a potential two-year extension beyond that.
