Siemens Energy and NeuConnect have signed a contract to supply a turnkey HVDC transmission system for the first power link between Britain and Germany. The 1.4 GW HVDC link will connect two of Europe’s largest energy markets. Siemens said that the link will enable more efficient use of renewable energy and increase security of supply in both countries. Siemens said that the order value is: “In the high three-digit million euro range”.
Siemens Energy will build two HVDC converter stations, one in the Isle of Grain in England, the other in the Wilhelmshaven region in north Germany. The link will also include a 720 km HVDC submarine cable system linking offshore wind platforms to the converter stations.
Tim Holt, member of the board of Siemens Energy, said: “If we want to achieve the switch to renewable energy quickly, safely, and affordably, we can no longer afford to have to curtail wind energy due to grid bottlenecks and have to cover demand elsewhere with fossil-based power generation. The electricity connection between Germany and Great Britain represents the increasing integration of the European electricity market. Efficient cross-border electricity connections unite the countries in their efforts to decarbonize.”