13 May 2009 - The UK's Global Marine Systems, a leading submarine cable layer, has entered into an agreement with ABB to complete work on three cable installation projects.

The three projects, BritNed, StatoilHydro Gjøa and NordE.ON1 are currently in progress with Global Marine Systems replacing a previous installation provider.

BritNed is the first electricity link between the UK and the Netherlands. The installed 260km cable will connect new stations being built at the Isle of Grain in Kent, England and Maasvlakte near Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

StatoilHydro Gjøa links the new power plant at Mongstad, north of Bergen, Norway and Norwegian oil and gas company's StatoilHydro Gjoa platform in the North Sea. This will be the first floating platform ever to have such a direct power link and as a result will reportedly reduce 250 000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

NordE.ON1 will connect the Borkum 2, part of the world's largest offshore wind farm cluster to the German power grid. Located in the North Sea, about 130 km from the coast, Borkum 2 will be connected via subsea cable to the German grid at Diele which is located about 75km inland.

"Global Marine Systems and their partner Visser & Smit Hanab are the right choice to ensure these major projects are completed as expected," said Lars G Carlsson, of ABB, High Voltage Cables.

"Their combined experience in managing the complexities of installing subsea power cables, and with offshore windfarms in particular, is impressive. We look forward to working closely with them to complete these crucial projects."

As part of the agreement, ABB and Global Marine Systems will charter the CSV North Ocean 102 and CLV Team Oman as spreads which include certain related personnel, equipment and support services until the projects are completed, estimated in Q2 2010.