Recently, NKT was chosen as the preferred bidder to construct the EGL3 transmission link. This exciting project will connect the first electricity transmission network between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This Climate Leadership through Clean Energy initiative invests in the modernization of our electricity infrastructure. Its vision is an economically and environmentally sustainable future, powered by clean, reliable energy that’s accessible to all.
This EGL3 transmission link will collectively bridge the power grids in Scotland and England. This very connection will be vital in addressing and keeping energy security. The main focus is increasing the capacity and coverage of the high-voltage electricity transmission network, i.e. systems operating at 132kV, 220kV, 275kV and 400kV. The project consists of building a 525kV high-voltage direct current (HV DC) cable system. This cable will be 680 km long, encompassing both an onshore and offshore route.
Advancing Sustainable Power Solutions
The EGL3 project has a critical role to play in the upgrade and decarbonisation of Great Britain’s power system. By linking Scotland’s renewable energy resources to the rest of the nation, it will help facilitate a shift toward cleaner energy sources. Two transmission owners — American Electrical Power and Avangrid — are actively engaged in the joint venture for this project. Their participation underscores how important this project is to the energy transition.
Claes Westerlind, NKT’s president and CEO, thanked the customer for choosing NKT as preferred bidder. He stated, “We are honoured to be selected as the preferred bidder for EGL3, a key project in the upgrade and decarbonisation of Great Britain’s power system.”
The bond preferred bidder agreement is an important milestone for the EGL3 project. Smart power This cross-industry initiative is helping to deliver affordable, reliable, clean power to homes and businesses throughout the UK. This promise to pilot this project builds on years of work to develop an energy network that helps achieve net-zero emissions.
Strengthening the Energy Network
According to James Johnson, a member of the Scottish Parliament that helped launch the EGL3 project, such projects are vital to harnessing Scotland’s extensive renewable energy potential. He continued, “Delivering on EGL3 reunifying the four corners of the state. This project will help tap into Scotland’s great renewable energy potential. This will help to guarantee that energy can flow efficiently to consumers’ doorsteps throughout Great Britain and further improve resilience of the transmission network. This announcement is another critical step in that direction as we continue to campaign to deliver a network for net zero.
NKT has a central role in the EGL3 project. Just a few weeks ago, they won a contract with Energinet to deliver a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable system for an offshore interconnector. The offshore portion of the project will link the Bornholm Energy Island to Zealand, Denmark’s power grid. This synergy reflects NKT’s know-how in high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.