Energy infrastructure

It can generate electricity at full load for up to six hours per day

Siemens Energy, together with its consortium partner Sumitomo Electric, have signed a contract with Greenlink Interconnector Limited. Siemens Energy will deliver the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter technology for the 190km electricity interconnector Greenlink. The 500-megawatt HVDC link will connect the power grids of Ireland and Great Britain. As the power can flow in either direction, depending on supply and demand in each country, it allows both countries to benefit from increased grid stability, security of power supply and cost-effective growth and integration of low carbon energy. Work will begin at the start of 2022 following financial close.

HVDC technology offers the most efficient means of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances. Siemens Energy will be responsible for the overall system design and the construction of two converter stations located close to the Great Island transmission substation in County Wexford (Ireland) and the Pembroke transmission substation in Pembrokeshire (Wales). Both converter stations will use Siemens Energy’s market leading HVDC PLUS technology with modular multi-level arrangement (VSC-MMC) to convert Alternating Current to Direct Current and vice versa. Linked via an HVDC XLPE (crosslinked polyethylene) cable system by Sumitomo, the stations will enable the low-loss transport of energy with a voltage of 320 kilovolts. Siemens Energy’s scope of supply also includes a Service and Maintenance Agreement with an initial duration of seven years.

James O’Reilly, CEO of Greenlink, said: “We are delighted to have reached another significant milestone in the delivery of the Greenlink project with the signing of the contract with Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric. Greenlink is one of Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects, contributing to energy security, regional investment, jobs and the cost effective integration of low carbon energy and we have chosen a consortium with exceptional experience, skill and standing in the energy and engineering sector for this major undertaking. We will be looking to maximise local supply chain benefits during the three-year construction period and we look forward to working with Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric towards successful commissioning in 2024.”

Beatrix Natter, Executive Vice President Transmission at Siemens Energy, said: “Interconnectors like Greenlink play a critical role in strengthening the share of renewable sources in the European energy mix and bolstering energy security. We at Siemens Energy are very pleased that Greenlink chose our state-of-the-art HVDC technology, adding a new lighthouse project to our proven track record of ten HVDC projects in implementation and more than 59 successfully completed projects worldwide.”

Greenlink has key strategic importance, as it will provide significant additional interconnection between Ireland and Great Britain, with onward connections to continental Europe. Leading to more import and export capacity in both countries, GreenLink will enable a diversified energy mix, bolster European energy security and ultimately make the enhanced integration of renewable energy possible. The European Union has recognised Greenlink’s contribution to security of supply and the environment by designating it a ‘Project of Common Interest’.