Western HVDC Link (Western Link)
Hunterston, Scotland to Connah's Quay, Wales (connecting Scotland to England/Wales) · 2012–2019 · £1.2 billion
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchPioneering use of HVDC technology for efficient, long-distance transmission of renewable energy from Scotland to demand centers in England and Wales, enhancing grid stability and capacity.
Key engineering challenges
Laying long subsea HVDC cables across challenging seabed conditions, including deep water and complex geological formations. - Integrating high-capacity HVDC technology into existing AC transmission networks at both ends. - Managing a large-scale, cross-border infrastructure project involving multiple stakeholders and environmental considerations.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and SP Energy Networks (SPEN)
- Lead contractor
- Prysmian (cables), Siemens (converter stations)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 2,200 MW / 2,250 MW transmission capacity; approximately 400 km length (subsea and underground cables)
- Disciplines
- electrical; civil; marine; power systems; project management
- Standards & frameworks
- UK grid codes, relevant international standards for HVDC transmission.
Sources: SP Energy Networks: Western HVDC Link (https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/western_hvdc_link.aspx) - Wikipedia: Western HVDC Link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_HVDC_Link) - Iberdrola: Western Link (https://www.iberdrola.com/about-us/networks/electricity-transmission/western-link) - Prysmian: Prysmian secures the highest value cable project ever (https://www.prysmian.com/en/en_2012-Highest-value-contract.html) - TDWorld: Western HVDC Link Sets Voltage Record (https://www.tdworld.com/intelligent-undergrounding/article/20957419/western-hvdc-link-sets-voltage-record)