Hitachi Energy

SSEN Transmission awarded Hitachi Energy major contracts to supply the onshore HVDC converter stations for the Western Isles HVDC Link. Under these turnkey agreements, Hitachi Energy will design, procure, manufacture, install and commission voltage source converter (HVDC Light) technology at each end of the 2 GW, ±525 kV bipole connection: one converter station and associated AC interface at the Lewis Hub near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, and a second converter station near Beauly (Fanellan) on the Scottish mainland. The converter stations will form the terminals of the Western Isles link, enabling efficient transfer of up to 1.8–2.0 GW of renewable generation from the Western Isles into the GB transmission system and allowing bidirectional power flows between island and mainland grids. The award follows Hitachi Energy’s earlier preferred bidder status under SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 framework and supports Scotland’s wider transmission reinforcement and net-zero objectives.