NKT confirmed as power cable supplier for Scottish subsea links

Denmark’s NKT has signed a framework agreement with the Scottish transmission system operator (TSO) SSEN Transmission to deliver power cable systems for two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links in Scotland.

NKT on August 28, 2023, confirmed the reservation of production and offshore installation capacity for power cable systems for the Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead subsea links and the parties have now agreed to proceed with initial work for the two interconnectors.

The two 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. The HND sets out a single, integrated grid design that supports the large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.

The final construction contracts for the two projects are expected to be called off in the first half of 2026.

“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,” said Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN Transmission.

“We are particularly pleased to be working with NKT on the delivery of the crucial Western Isles Connection Project. Having been involved in efforts to connect the Western Isles for several years, NKT have demonstrated a real understanding of the project’s importance in enabling the development of renewable energy in and around the Western Isles and the associated benefits this will deliver for the local community, and it will be great to work together to help realize that opportunity.”

The 1.8 GW Western Isles link will have a cable route of approximately 160 kilometers, while the 2 GW Spittal-Peterhead link will be around 220 kilometers long. Hitachi Energy will deliver four HVDC converter stations for the projects.

SSEN Transmission recently reported that it had identified an alternative site on Lewis for the proposed new HVDC convertor station and AC substation for the Western Isles link following community feedback that caused the previous proposal to be discounted.

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