System Restoration

The Western HVDC Link returned to service on 22 March 2019 after the southern onshore land-cable fault that had taken the 2,250 MW Hunterston-to-Flintshire Bridge HVDC link out of service since 19 February. The restoration followed a joint repair of the cable defect by Prysmian (original cable system supplier and contractor) and the NGET/SPT operating teams. The link resumed transmitting power between Hunterston (Scotland) and Flintshire Bridge (Wales/England), supporting north-south transfer of Scottish renewable generation across the GB transmission system. The return to service was confirmed via the Western Link operator news feed; the subsequent 6 April 2019 trip on the undersea cable section meant the link was again out of service within two weeks.