NEXANS : ACHIEVES TWO WORLD RECORDS

Press release

NEXANS ACHIEVES TWO WORLD RECORDS FOR DEEPEST AND LONGEST 420 kV XLPE SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM FOR NORWAY'S BKK GRID CONNECTION

90 KM XLPE CABLE SYSTEM HAS JUST BEEN INSTALLED TO REINFORCE THE GRID IN WESTERN NORWAY TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY

Paris, June 6, 2016 - BKK Nett AS, the Norwegian power company based in Bergen, will soon be the operator of a recording breaking subsea power link as Nexans just completed a project to install the world's longest and deepest 420 kV XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated submarine cable system. In a turnkey project worth around 75 million euros to reinforce the grid in western Norway, Nexans has delivered 90 km of 420 kV AC XLPE cable. This contract fulfils Nexans' vision of helping to meet the growing global demand for electricity.

The new power link, comprising three single core cables in parallel, runs between Mongstad and Kollsnes, crossing two fjords: Hjeltefjorden and Lurefjorden. At its deepest point, the cables were installed at 390 m, making this both the world's deepest 420 kV XLPE system, and longest at this depth, with a length of 22 km.

The cable system for the two fjords are manufactured, delivered and installed by Nexans. The cables were laid by Nexans' cable laying vessel, C/S Nexans Skagerrak. In the near-shore areas, the cables were mainly protected with HDPE pipes, outer shells or trenched by water jetting.

Tom Skattum, Project Manager at Nexans Norway, said, "Achieving these new world records was a great challenge for Nexans and this contract for BKK represents the height of Nexans' expertise in submarine power cables."

The submarine cables have been manufactured at Nexans' facility in Halden, Norway, and laying was completed in May 2016. This will be followed by termination work on shore, ready for the handover testing in autumn 2016.

Grid reinforcement project

BKK, one of Norway's largest utility companies, is building the new connection to reinforce the power grid in the west of the country. The new power line is essential to ensure security of supply for the forecast growth in consumption by residents, businesses and industrial consumers in the Bergen region, which is an important growth area. It will also provide additional capacity for the grid connection of new generation resources.

The total length of the new 420 kV Mongstad to Kollsnes connection will be around 30 km. On land, overhead lines will carry the power. However, the majority of the route crosses two fjords, requiring the installation of the submarine cables.

Nexans brings energy to life through an extensive range of cables and cabling solutions that deliver increased performance for our customers worldwide. Nexans' teams are committed to a partnership approach that supports customers in four main business areas: Power transmission and distribution (submarine and land), Energy resources (Oil & Gas, Mining and Renewables), Transportation (Road, Rail, Air, Sea) and Building (Commercial, Residential and
Data Centers). Nexans' strategy is founded on continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development, customer training and the introduction of safe, low-environmental-impact industrial processes.

In 2013, Nexans became the first cable player to create a Foundation to introduce sustained initiatives for access to energy for disadvantaged communities worldwide.
Nexans is an active member of Europacable, the European Association of Wire & Cable Manufacturers, and a signatory of the Europacable Industry Charter. The Charter expresses its members' commitment to the principles and objectives of developing ethical, sustainable and high-quality cables.
We have an industrial presence in 40 countries and commercial activities worldwide, employing close to 26,000 people and generating sales in 2015 of 6.2 billion euros. Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A.

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