In 2021 Millennium was trusted with the Design and Build of the SX-Next Submarine Cable Landing Station, a critical infrastructure project facilitating one of New Zealand’s primary data connections to the World. This station served as a pivotal link for the Southern Cross Cable, spanning from Sydney to Auckland and across to Los Angeles which heading 95% of New Zealand’s data traffic, the significance of the station cannot be overstated. Millennium managed the project from inception, were responsible for the electrical design, mechanical design, architecture, building consent, delivery, test, commission and project management. The project required millennium design and project team to liaise with not only Spark NZ International team but also the international submarine cable project team. Beginning with a 3D model and progressing through conceptual design, Millennium finalized the scope with the key stakeholders. Millennium delivered the project through the international pandemic on time and to the allocated project budget.
Key Information:
Project Size
- Installation 240kW of 2N DC Power
- Installation 2N Battery with 4hrs Autonomy
- Installation 100kW of N+1 Cooling
- Installation of Equipment Seismic Support Structure
- Facility/ Submarine Cable Capable of 72 Terabytes of data per second
Complexity Managed
Operating within a critical environment, Millennium team navigated complexities without isolating any of the electrical infrastructure at the existing site, necessitating modifications to installations and connections. In a particular show piece, the Main cable tray was coated in pink, establishing a unique standard for the submarine cables entry to facility. All subsequent electrical connections from this submarine cable outwards utilized pink heat shrink covers, ensuring clear identification and maintenance. When you are wondering why it is pink heat shrink, that is where it has begun.
Project Outcomes
The project achieved its objectives within the allocated timeframe and budget, encompassing reconstruction, removal of existing mechanical and electrical infrastructure to create a greenfield space withing critical Telco exchange, Then design, installation and deployment of necessary equipment for the requested critical redundancy. The developed space not only meets current operational requirements but is also to accommodate future advancements and forecasted day two deployment for an increased telecommunications technology in future, ensuring the builds relevance and functionality in the long term.