400 kV Self-Contained Oil-Filled Cable Installation In South London, U.K. (Rowdown-Beddington)

Power flow studies have shown that in the late 1970's when Thames Estuary generation reaches its maximum capacity there will be a need for re-inforcement of the transmission system. As part of this reinforcement, a 400 kV underground cable link has been provided between Rowdown & Beddington with a power transfer capability of 1412 MVA in Winter and 1242 in Summer. The cable system consists of 400 kV self contained oil filled cable together with water cooling pipes and associated equipment. The paper describes the design of the cable and accessories together with the cooling pipes and heat exchange stations. Details are given of the procedures adopted for installing the cables and accessories. The installation has demonstrated the feasibility of establishing high power underground circuits in urban districts.