EGL2 will comprise two 525-kilovolt (kV) bipole VSC converter stations connected by 440 kilometers (273.4 miles) of subsea cable and 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) of underground cable, making it the longest HVDC link in the UK.
Hitachi Energy recently announced that they have been selected as the preferred technology provider by SSEN Transmission and National Grid for a new project to interconnect the Scottish and English power grids. The project, known as Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), will involve the supply of two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations that will play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid.
According to Hitachi Energy, the transition to a greener and more sustainable energy future necessitates collaboration and advanced technologies and allows the company to invest in new production capacity and undertake large-scale recruitment drives, strengthening collaboration and standardization of solutions between projects. EGL2 will comprise two 525-kilovolt (kV) bipole VSC converter stations connected by 440 kilometers (273.4 miles) of subsea cable and 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) of underground cable, making it the longest HVDC link in the UK. Once operational, the link will efficiently supply a total of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, enough to power approximately two million UK homes. The project will play a vital role in securing power transmission in the northern UK and supporting the integration of new renewable electricity generation in Scotland, aligning with the UK's ambitious Net Zero Strategy. Scotland's offshore wind capacity is expected to reach as much as 11,000 MW by 2030, and HVDC transmission will facilitate the transportation of this substantial renewable power to communities across the country.
Niklas Persson, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business, emphasized the significance of HVDC technology in reliably and efficiently delivering electricity where it is most needed amidst the UK's Net Zero Strategy.
Sarah Sale, Deputy Project Director of National Grid, highlighted the project's importance in contributing to the UK's net zero and energy security goals, expressing excitement to work collaboratively with Hitachi Energy and BAM as the project progresses, while Ricky Saez, EGL2 Project Director from SSEN Transmission, acknowledged the crucial role of the converter stations in making the power transported subsea suitable for onshore transmission. To deliver the project's civil and installation scope, Hitachi Energy is collaborating with BAM, a renowned construction company known for its sustainable infrastructure projects. The partnership aims to leverage the expertise of both companies and provide a best-in-class solution for EGL2.
The interconnection of the Scottish and English power grids through HVDC technology represents a significant step forward in the UK's journey toward a greener and more sustainable energy future. Hitachi Energy's pioneering efforts in this area, along with the collaborative efforts of SSEN Transmission, National Grid, and BAM, will play a crucial role in meeting the UK's ambitious renewable energy targets and fostering energy security across the nation.
Source: Hitachi Energy