NKT confirmed reservation of production and offshore installation capacity for SSEN Transmission, a Scottish transmission system operator (TSO), in August 2023. The reservation was for power cable systems for two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links running from the Western Isles to the Scottish mainland, and from Spittal in Caithness to Peterhead.
Now, NKT has signed a framework agreement with SSEN, and the parties have agreed to proceed with initial work for the two Scottish HVDC interconnectors issued under the agreement. With these steps, NKT and SSEN continue their collaboration with the aim to strengthen the cable infrastructure supporting the region’s transition to renewable energy.
“We are very satisfied with the progression of the projects and continuing the long-term collaboration with SSEN Transmission to strengthen the interconnection of the Scottish power grid,” says Darren Fennell, executive vice president and head of HV Solutions Karlskrona at NKT. “With our extensive experience in large turnkey HVDC projects, we remain committed to supporting the decarbonization of the power system in Great Britain. The limited notice to proceed with the projects is a statement of the exceptional collaboration with SSEN Transmission on interconnector projects like the Caithness-Moray HVDC Link and the ongoing Shetland HVDC Link.”
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. SSEN plays a central role in executing the HND, supporting the journey to meet United Kingdom and Scottish governments’ 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets. The HND sets out a single, integrated grid design that supports large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.
“We are delighted to have secured agreements with our supply chain partner NKT to help deliver the cables needed for the Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead HVDC connections, an important step supporting the timely delivery of these projects,” says Sandy Mactaggart, director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN. “Recognizing the unprecedented global demand for HVDC technology, we have acted with pace to secure these key components at the earliest opportunity — and we’re now looking forward to building on our long-established and strong working relationship with NKT.”
NKT and SSEN expect the final construction contracts for the two projects to be called off in the first half of 2026.
