SSEN Transmission has reached significant milestones in its efforts to enhance Scotland's electricity infrastructure with two major HVDC transmission connection projects, securing agreements with cable supplier NKT.
Under the agreements, NKT will commence initial works on projects linking Lewis in the Western Isles to Beauly on the Scottish mainland, and Spittal in Caithness to Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. These initiatives are integral to SSEN Transmission's ambitious £20 billion infrastructure development program aimed at upgrading the electricity transmission network in northern Scotland. The upgrades will facilitate the efficient connection and transport of renewable energy across Great Britain, the company reported.
The Western Isles Connection project entails laying 81 kilometers of subsea cable and an additional 80 kilometers of underground wire between the HVDC site on Lewis and the facility at Fanellan on the mainland. Meanwhile, the Spittal to Peterhead connection involves a 150-kilometer subsea line, along with land cable sections and new HVDC converter stations.
Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN Transmission, expressed satisfaction with securing agreements with NKT, emphasizing their importance in advancing these crucial projects. “We have acted swiftly to secure key components amidst global HVDC technology demand, bolstering our long-standing partnership with NKT,” Mactaggart stated. He highlighted the significance of the Western Isles Connection Project in enabling renewable energy development and its associated benefits for the local community.
Darren Fennell, Executive Vice President & Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona at NKT, affirmed their commitment to supporting Scotland's power grid interconnection and decarbonization efforts. “Our collaboration with SSEN Transmission underscores our expertise in large-scale HVDC projects and our dedication to advancing the power system's decarbonization in Great Britain,” Fennell noted.
NKT has previously collaborated with SSEN Transmission on projects such as the Caithness-Moray HVDC Link and the ongoing Shetland HVDC Link, further reinforcing their partnership in critical interconnector initiatives.
