The NeuConnect project reached a new milestone in its construction after Siemens Energy completed delivery of the 14 transformers intended for the converter stations of the future energy link between the UK and Germany.
The infrastructure, valued at £2.4 billion, will connect both countries via a 725-kilometer HVDC system of subsea cabling capable of transmitting 1.4 GW of electricity in both directions. The capacity will be sufficient to supply up to 1.5 million homes and strengthen the integration of renewable energy in Europe.
Siemens Energy completes a complex logistics operation
The delivered equipment is part of the power conversion system that will enable voltage adaptation before injecting energy into the national grids of the UK and Germany.
Each transformer measures approximately seven meters in length, five meters in height, and weighs more than 200 tonnes. Siemens Energy manufactured the equipment in Nuremberg, and it was then transported by barge along the Rhine River to Rotterdam.
From there, seven transformers were shipped to Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany, while the other seven arrived at the Isle of Grain in Kent, UK. Finally, all were transported by road to NeuConnect’s converter stations.
Converter stations reach their maximum height
Likewise, the main structures of the converter stations have already reached their maximum height in both Germany and the UK.
The buildings, approximately 24 meters high and 70 meters wide, are now progressing with cladding work and the internal installation of electrical equipment and HVDC conversion systems.
These facilities will be essential to transform high-voltage direct current and enable stable electricity exchange between both energy markets.
Prysmian surpasses 300 kilometers of installed subsea cable
In parallel, the subsea laying program continues to advance with the support of the Prysmian Leonardo da Vinci, considered one of the largest cable-laying vessels in the world.
The contractor Prysmian has already installed more than 300 kilometers of subsea cabling; according to the project, all laying in British waters has already been completed, while operations continue in Dutch waters.
On the German side, the works to connect the North Sea coast to the Fedderwarden converter station are close to completion.
NeuConnect seeks to strengthen European energy security
The NeuConnect interconnector is promoted by Meridiam, Allianz, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO. The project aims to increase European energy resilience through a direct electrical connection between two of the continent’s largest electricity markets.
Arnaud Grévoz, NeuConnect’s CEO, noted that the delivery of all transformers represents another important achievement for the project and emphasized that the works remain on schedule.
The energy link is scheduled to enter operation in 2028 and is expected to help improve the exchange of renewable electricity between the UK and Germany.
Source and photo: Neuconnect