The survey for a new, redundant submarine cable on the west coast of Greenland has started.
In December 2022 it was announced that Tusass A/S had received funding support from the EU for a seabed survey along the coastline from Qaqortoq to Ilulissat. This survey is now being launched. The purpose is to eventually strengthen the critical infrastructure with a redundant submarine cable connecting Qaqortoq, Nuuk, and Aasiaat, and also to investigate the possibility of a route to Ilulissat.
Greenland Connect (North)
Greenland currently has two subsea cables, both owned by Tusass. The Greenland Connect, which started opering in 2009, links Greenland with Canada and Iceland. The domestic extension towards Aasiaat, Greenland Connect North, was added in 2017.
The seabed survey is being carried out by the company Geoteam aboard the ship R/V EXPLORA. The entire project is estimated to take about four months, concluding by the end of November 2023. Afterward, the collected data will be analyzed to develop a final construction project. The survey vessel will be assisted by a local ship chartered by Tusass for this task.
Meanwhile on the east coast
Tusass has aslo announced the replacement of its satellite connections in East Greenland. GreenSAT, the new satellite named after Greenland, is now ready for use, which means that the ground stations in Ittoqqortoormiit and Tasiilaq must be upgraded to be compatible. The upgrade of the two ground stations starts at the beginning of August, and will last approximately 8-10 days.
