Supply chain deals struck for Spittal-Peterhead HVDC subsea cable connection
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A planned high-voltage undersea connection between Caithness and Aberdeenshire has seen a major step forward with deals struck in the supply chain.
The proposed Spittal-Peterhead high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable would provide a 2GW link to accommodate the growth in renewable electricity in the far north.
The scheme is part of the Pathway to 2030 programme and has been identified as "critical" to delivering UK and Scottish government targets.
Hitachi Energy has been announced as the preferred bidder for the HVDC converter system and NKT as preferred bidder for the HVDC cable, for both the Spittal-Peterhead project and the Western Isles interconnector.
The Spittal-Peterhead proposal will involve new converter stations at both locations and an HVDC link consisting of some 220km of subsea cable.
SSEN Transmission said the projects are part of a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain that is required to help meet the UK and Scottish governments renewable energy and climate change targets.
It has also confirmed Sumitomo Electric and its offshore installation partner Van Oord Offshore Wind UK as part of its "Framework of Contractors" to potentially deliver future subsea cable projects, alongside NKT.
National Grid is expected to announce details later this year of additional electricity transmission infrastructure required to connect and transport ScotWind’s full ambition of around 28GW of offshore wind, with current 2030 network development plans enabling around 11GW of the leasing round's full potential. This is expected to include several new HVDC links.
SSEN Transmission says it will set out further details of the plans "to deliver jobs and economic growth across the north of Scotland and beyond", once the contract awards are finalised.
Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: “Reaching preferred bidder status for the Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead HVDC cables and converter systems is a hugely important step to support the timely delivery of these projects, particularly given global supply chain constraints in HVDC technology, and is testament to our targeted procurement strategy which prioritised securing these key components at the earliest opportunity.
“As we aim to conclude contract negotiations in the coming weeks and months, we look forward to building on our long-established and strong working relationship with Hitachi Energy and NKT.
“We are also delighted that Sumitomo Electric and its offshore installation partner Van Oord Offshore Wind UK, have also secured a place on our contractors’ framework for future HVDC projects, with significant further opportunities expected to come from ongoing system design work. Further details on these future projects and supply chain opportunities are expected later this year.
“As well as supporting delivery of UK and Scottish Government net zero and energy security targets, our forthcoming investments will provide significant local and national economic opportunities, helping unleash the economic potential of the north of Scotland.”
