NKT wins €235m contract from SSEN for Shetland HVDC Link project

NKT has bagged a contract worth around €235 million from SSEN Transmission for the supply and installation of a high-voltage direct current (DC) interconnector to the Shetland HVDC Link project.

The Danish power cable manufacturer said that the turnkey order includes the manufacturing of nearly 2×260 km of 320 kV high-voltage DC on-and offshore power cables, followed by their installation by the NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel and protection of the power cables.

Alexander Kara – NKT President and CEO, commenting on the Shetland HVDC Link project contract, said: “This turnkey order confirms NKT’s strong position in the market for high-voltage DC interconnectors. I am very pleased that we are selected as partner for the Shetland HVDC Link, which will provide a sustainable grid connection to Shetland and renewable energy supply from the island.

“With this opportunity we continue our good relationship with SSEN Transmission, with whom we also successfully completed the Caithness-Moray Link, connecting Eastern and Northern Scotland.”

NKT wins €235m contract from SSEN Transmission for Shetland HVDC Link project. Photo courtesy of NKT A/S.

According to NKT, the power cables for the Shetland HVDC Link project will be manufactured in Karlskrona in Sweden, with production expected to begin next year and commissioning slated for 2024.

The Shetland transmission link will be the first of its kind between the Scottish mainland and the Shetland island. The transmission link is expected to support the future security of the supply needs of Shetland and will enable the connection of renewable energy generated to the main UK power grid.