Life Cycle Module

Underground cables cost more per kilometer than overhead lines, but are a valuable solution where overhead lines are unacceptable. Europacable has published a position paper explaining its views on where the higher costs of cable should be accepted in power projects.

However, there is a considerable confusion about exactly how much more cable costs. When thinking about a power project, you must consider the costs over the life cycle of the system installed as well as the up front costs:

• The up front cost is paid in the first instance
• The life cycle cost includes not only the up front cost, but also the costs of maintenance and cost of power losses in the system over time

Efficient systems of any kind usually cost more up front, but save money in the long term. This module seeks to explain this situation for cable projects.

Choose from the options below to learn more about the life cycle of underground cables:

• Installation costs
• Transmission losses
• Planning delays
• Replacement cycles