SSEN Transmission and Hitachi Energy have secured another key milestone in their partnership to provide converter stations for subsea links between Scottish mainland and the Western Isles.
Hitachi Energy has been awarded initial work contracts for pre-construction activity for the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter System for the Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead subsea links.
The project will help unlock Scotland’s renewable energy potential in support of national net zero and energy security ambitions.
In 2023, SSEN Transmission selected Hitachi Energy as a preferred bidder to provide the HVDC converter stations, before entering into a Capacity Reservation Agreement for the production and installation of the four converter stations required for the projects.
This was followed by a Framework Agreement signed in March this year.
Now, having awarded the contracts for initial works, the projects remain on track for energisation in 2030.
The contracts include initial design, engineering studies, and activity to secure the wider supply chain before the construction phase of the project begins.
The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead HVDC links are part of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, a £20bn investment that will deliver a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network to enable the connection and transportation of renewable energy around Great Britain.
Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery for SSEN Transmission, said: “We are delighted to reach this latest milestone with our supply chain partners Hitachi Energy, with the award of contracts for initial works ensuring our Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead HVDC links remain firmly on track.
“The progress we have made is testament to our strong working relationship with Hitachi Energy, which stands us in good stead as we deliver these important projects harnessing Scotland’s renewable potential and delivering clean energy to people’s homes.
“I look forward to building on all we have achieved together so far, as we aim to meet our targeted energisation date in 2030.”
Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business, said: “We are excited to build on our long-standing and fruitful collaboration with SSEN Transmission to continue successfully delivering projects in Scotland to accelerate the energy transition at the pace that is needed.
“Electrification of the energy system is vital to achieving net zero, and our state-of-the-art HVDC technology will play a key role to stabilise and reinforce the transmission network, removing constraints and creating skilled job opportunities.”