Alstom Grid has received a contract worth approximately €150 million from Tres Amigas LLC to deliver high voltage direct current (HVDC), converter and automation technology as well as system maintenance services for the first stage of the Tres Amigas ‘SuperStation’ project in New Mexico, US.

The SuperStation is a power transmission hub that will ultimately interconnect America’s three major electricity grids – the Eastern (Southwest Power Pool), Western (Western Electricity Coordinating Council) and Texas (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) networks. Its main goal is to facilitate the transfer of clean, renewable power from region to region. It will also strengthen the reliability, transmission efficiency and capacity of the grids.

Under the contract, Alstom Grid will supply a 750 MW, 345 kV DC converter scheme, utilising its latest Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology. The VSC is ideally suited for applications such as the connection of wind farms and for the development of multi-terminal power grids.

Engineering design for the project is under way, with construction scheduled to commence by 2012, and commercial operations expected in 2014.