Hitachi Energy has won an order to supply four high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect France and Spain via a subsea cable across the Biscay Gulf.
The order is from Electricity Interconnection France-Spain (Inelfe), the joint venture bringing together operators of the Spanish (Red Eléctrica) and French (RTE) electricity transmission networks, in charge of the construction and commissioning of all cross-border connections between both countries.
The Biscay Gulf interconnection, labelled as project of common interest (PCI) at the European level, will consist of two HVDC links, with a converter station at each end of both systems.
Combined, the links will efficiently supply a total of 2GW of electricity at 400kV over 400 km and will advance the integration of emission-free electricity and create a more efficient system to generate savings that benefit consumers and the rest of Europe.
Most of the link will be underwater, but a short section of the link cable route will return to land to avoid the deep Capbreton Canyon.
Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business, said: “Through our pioneering HVDC technology, we enable Inelfe to accelerate the two countries’ sustainability goals, improving the safety, stability, and quality of electricity supply between France and Spain and the rest of Europe.”
Inelfe was set up following the 2008 Zaragoza Agreement, between the governments of Spain and France, with the mission to enhance the exchange of electricity between the two countries.
The resulting infrastructure doubled the interconnection capacity between France and Spain from 1400MW to 2800MW today.
With the Biscay Gulf interconnection, the capacity to exchange power will soon reach 5GW.