Prysmian Group has been selected as preferred supplier of high-voltage direct current cable systems for the 2100MW SOO Green HVDC Link in the US.
The interregional project, considered the first link in a national clean energy grid, will connect two of the largest energy markets in the US, the Midwest Independent System serving the central US to the eastern PJM Interconnection.
SOO Green will deliver renewable energy to population centres from Chicago to the mid-Atlantic region.
With a value of approximately $900 million, Prysmian Group will provide ±525 kV class HVDC cable.
Award is subject to the finalisation of contract.
The construction part of the project, currently under finalisation, will be performed by Jingoli Power and will be added to the overall contract value. Prysmian will be responsible for the full turnkey contract.
The 350-mile-long project will require 700 miles of paired ±525 kV cross-linked polyethylene class cables installed underground primarily along existing railroad rights-of-way connecting SOO Green’s converter station in northern Iowa to its Illinois converter station just west of Chicago.
Cable production for the project is expected to start in 2023.
“As can be seen recently in Texas and California, the US must invest in its transmission infrastructure and SOO Green’s underground rail co-location model is a game-changer that can be replicated nationwide to build a clean energy grid,” said Direct Connect CEO Trey Ward.
“Our partnership with Prysmian provides us with best-in-class cable to build a highly reliable and climate resilient transmission line to supply US households and business with affordable renewable energy for decades to come and bring manufacturing back to the US.”