National Grid and SP Energy Networks’ new HVDC subsea transmission link
National Grid and SP Energy Networks to deliver new HVDC subsea transmission link from East Lothian in Scotland to County Durham in England.
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UK, London: National Grid and SP Energy Networks to deliver new HVDC subsea transmission link from East Lothian in Scotland to County Durham in England.
Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), a 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission link from Torness, East Lothian in Scotland to Hawthorn Pit, County Durham in England, is to be delivered by a joint venture of National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Transmission, part of SP Energy Networks (SPEN). This should enable the transmission of renewable green energy to power more than two million homes across the UK.
The joint venture has selected GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business and MYTILINEOS Energy & Metals (MYTILINEOS) to supply two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the cable, something that is a significant milestone for the project, as it progresses towards its construction phase expected to begin in 2024. The 190km £2.5bn electricity superhighway will carry enough green electricity to power more than two million homes across the UK.
GE Vernova is partnering with MYTILINEOS to provide the engineering works and technology for the HVDC convertor stations which form the terminals for the HVDC cable and convert the direct current to the alternating current used in the onshore transmission network. This latest milestone is another significant step and follows on from the recent announcement of Prysmian Group being selected as the exclusive preferred bidder for the HVDC cabling contract.
The HVDC cable system is approximately 190km in length with converter stations at either end to connect it into the existing transmission network infrastructure. HVDC technology provides the most efficient and reliable means of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances subsea.
Following final approval of regulatory allowances from Ofgem, full contracts are expected to be complete later this year with construction work due to begin in 2024. The project’s targeted operational date is 2029.
EGL1 is a key part of the significant amount of new network infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero and will play a critical role in supporting the nation’s future security of supply, reducing dependence and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets. National Grid’s research has also found that there will be an estimated 400,000 job opportunities for a net zero energy workforce by 2050, including around 150,000 jobs anticipated in Scotland and the North of England.
Minister for Nuclear and Networks, Andrew Bowie said: “We have a world class renewables sector that help us power Britain from Britain with reliable, clean, and affordable energy for families and businesses. With investment in renewables rising by 500% since 2010, we must continue to transform our electricity network to ensure we can move power from where it is generated to where it is needed. Projects like this will do just that and help us to grow the economy, reduce bills, achieve net zero and strengthen our energy security.”
The UK has to undertake the largest overhaul of the grid in generations, this requires a multi-billion investment in new electricity transmission projects across the country. The upgrade, which will help move more clean energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed and play a major role in the UK moving towards its net zero target, includes three further subsea links between Scotland and England of which this joint venture is the first.
Source: National Grid
#GE Vernova#HVDC#Mytilineos#National Grid#SP Energy Networks