Gotland 3
OperationalIsland LinkSE130 MW150 kV98 km1987
Basic information
6 fieldsAlso Known As
Gotland III · Gotland 3 · Gotland HVDC 3 · Gotland III HVDC · Gotland–Sweden HVDC link 3 · Gotland 3 (1985)
Status
operational
Capacity
130 MW
Owners
Project Company
Type
island link
Supply Chain (2)
Project Timeline (7)
2018Major Maintenance
In 2018, Hitachi Energy carried out a major modernization of the HVDC Gotland infrastructure, including the Gotland 3 monopolar link between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Ygne on Gotland, by installing advanced control systems to better integrate renewable generation and enhance grid stability.
2017Operations Other
In 2017, the HVDC Gotland system, which includes the Gotland 3 monopolar link between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Ygne on Gotland, received IEEE Milestone recognition for demonstrating the viability of high‑voltage direct current technology for long‑distance submarine transmission and its historical significance in electrical engineering.
1987Commercial Operations Full Power
In 1987, Vattenfall and ASEA completed and commissioned the Gotland 3 monopolar HVDC link between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Ygne on Gotland, a 150 kV, 130 MW submarine cable system that entered full commercial operation and, together with Gotland 2, formed a bipolar connection providing up to 260 MW of transmission capacity to the island.
1 Jan 1987Onss Commissioned
The Gotland 3 HVDC interconnector between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Ygne on Gotland entered service in 1987, marking the commissioning of its onshore converter/substation facilities at both ends of the link. The 150 kV, 130 MW system, supplied by ABB and using thyristor technology similar to Gotland 2, was added to meet rising electricity demand on the island and now typically operates together with Gotland 2 as a bipolar scheme.
1986Cable Installation Complete
The HVDC Gotland 1 submarine cables between mainland Sweden and Gotland were replaced in 1986 as part of the Gotland 3 expansion, completing installation of the new higher-capacity HVDC cable system associated with the Gotland 3 monopolar link. The replacement was driven by load growth rather than cable aging, with tests on the removed 1954-vintage cable showing it remained in near original condition after 32 years of service, including 16 years at an uprated 150 kV.
1 Jan 1985Fid Financial Close
In 1985, a decision was made to invest in a new HVDC interconnector, Gotland 3, between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Ygne on Gotland, with a rating similar to the existing Gotland 2 link, in order to satisfy rising electricity demand on the island and improve supply security. This investment enabled the development of a third HVDC cable that would typically operate together with Gotland 2 as a bipolar link but could also function independently.
Date TBDConverter Supplier Selected
ABB was identified as the supplier for the Gotland 3 HVDC link between Västervik on the Swedish mainland and Yigne on Gotland, a 130 MW, 150 kV cable project developed in the mid‑1980s as an additional link to satisfy increasing demand and improve supply security for the island, typically operated together with Gotland 2 as a bipolar transmission system.