Potential corridor routes of the proposed Eastern link HVDC submarine power cable

This project maps an area within the North Sea to determine which parameters govern optimal routeing of a cable corridor. Whilst seas and oceans may appear to be a limitless space, there are the competing temporal and spatial requirements of multiple users to consider. Often submarine cables are damaged by the unwitting actions of others and therefore the main sources of cable faults and protection methods are outlined. How potential corridors for a submarine cable may be devised within a GIS is demonstrated. Starting with the shortest possible route, further routes were developed that balanced the need for cable security and avoidance of prohibited areas or obstacles, whilst attempting to maintain economic viability. Evaluation of the routes was largely subjective but through the application of a score system, a preferred route was found. Bathymetry and slope were shown not to be prohibitive to the corridor routeing. The parameters governing optimal cable routeing within the area of interest were determined to be: costs of cable and different protection methods; avoiding areas reserved for resource exploitation, energy production, conservation and physical obstacles, incorporating known threats such as fishing activity and emergency anchoring probability into the cable route. With higher resolution bathymetric data; additional current and sediment data; and fishing statistics a refined route could be produced with a BPI and corresponding burial depth recommendation