Hitachi Energy’s Scotland HVDC converter stations
SSEN Transmission selected Hitachi Energy to supply onshore HVDC converter stations.
Image source: Hitachi Energy
Scotland, Edinburgh: SSEN Transmission selected Hitachi Energy to supply onshore HVDC converter stations.
Hitachi Energy has been selected by SSEN Transmission, part of the UK energy giant SSE plc, to supply multiple onshore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to accelerate the integration of bulk renewables into the UK power grid.
The agreement includes the deployment of up to five HVDC “power corridors”, or electricity transmission superhighways, to enable large amounts of future renewable power to be transported from northern Scotland to areas of higher consumption in the south. Each of these connection systems has a capacity of up to 2 GW and a voltage level of 525 kV. The total 10 GW of renewable electricity capacity would provide the equivalent power consumption for around 10 M UK homes.
The links will help secure power transmission in the northern UK and support the integration of new renewable electricity generation in Scotland as part of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy. HVDC transmission will play a key role in bringing this vast amount of renewable power to communities across the country.
“We’re proud to once again collaborate with SSEN Transmission and be part of their journey to advance a sustainable energy future for all, as we continue to set the benchmark for deploying innovative solutions at scale and with speed,” said Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business. “This business model reflects our strategy to secure clear visibility of the future and, based on this, we are already hiring to expand our global delivery capacity.”
Rob McDonald, Managing Director of SSEN Transmission, stated: “We are delighted that we have secured a place on our contractors’ framework for future HVDC projects, with significant further opportunities expected to come from ongoing system design work.”
Hitachi Energy will supply its voltage source converter (VSC) converter stations, which convert AC to DC for efficient, long-distance transmission and DC to AC, where the electricity is returned to the grid.
The first two projects under the framework agreement between Arnish-Beauly and Spittal-Peterhead have already been defined. The three additional projects are flexible in location, and to be defined as large-scale studies are finalized. The HVDC links are expected to enter operation in 2030 and onwards.
Source: Hitachi Energy
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