Scottish transmission system operator SSEN Transmission selected Denmark-based power cable supplier NKT in July as preferred bidder for a framework agreement and the two transmission link projects Western Isles (route length of about 99 miles) and Spittal-Peterhead (route length of about 137 miles). The parties now have entered into agreements ensuring production and offshore installation capacity for the 525 kV XLPE high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power cable systems for the two Scottish projects.
For NKT, the two turnkey projects will consist of design, production and installation of both onshore and offshore cable systems. The combined value of the two projects is not yet firmly fixed; however, NKT estimates it to be over $1 billion upon clarification of final scope.
Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2030.
“The projects are an excellent fit with our decision to expand our high-voltage production capacity in Karlskrona [Sweden] and add a new market leading cable-laying vessel to our fleet,” says Claes Westerlind, NKT president and CEO. “We are excited to leverage our extensive expertise in large turnkey HVDC-projects to strengthen the interconnection of the Scottish power grid.”
The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead offshore HVDC transmission links are part of The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (HND), which is a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain that is required to help meet United Kingdom and Scottish Governments 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets. HND sets out a single, integrated design that supports the large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.
Project specific contracts for the two ventures are conditional upon successful conclusion of the commercial negotiations and final investment decision. In addition, the parties intend to enter into a framework agreement for future projects.
Photo by Gustav Moertensson/ABB
