Hitachi Energy Secures Order For Subsea Electricity Interconnection Between France, Spain

KUALA LUMPUR, June 15 (Bernama) -- Hitachi Energy, a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all, announced it won an order from Electricity Interconnection France-Spain (Inelfe).

The joint venture brings together operators of the Spanish (Red Eléctrica) and French (RTE) electricity transmission networks, in charge of the construction and commissions of all cross-border connections between both countries.

This is to supply four high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations to interconnect France and Spain via a subsea cable across the Biscay Gulf, according to Hitachi Energy in a statement.

“Through our pioneering HVDC technology, we enable Inelfe to accelerate the two countries' sustainability goals, improving the safety, stability and quality of electricity supply between France and Spain and the rest of Europe,” said Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business Managing Director, Niklas Persson.

The Biscay Gulf interconnection, labelled as project of common interest at the European level, will consist of two HVDC links, with a converter station at each end of both systems. Combined, the links will efficiently supply a total of 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity at 400 kilovolts (kV) over 400 kilometres (km).

Providing the equivalent of the power consumption of more than two million households, the links will improve the safety, stability and quality of the electricity supply between the two countries.

Inelfe was set up following the 2008 Zaragoza Agreement, between the governments of Spain and France, with the mission to enhance the exchange of electricity between the two countries.

In line with its purpose to champion the urgency of a clean energy transition via innovation and collaboration, Hitachi Energy is collaborating with VINCI, an industry leader in energy and construction.

Together the two companies will provide an advanced solution for the Biscay Gulf project by delivering the engineering and power technologies and the construction of the converter stations.

-- BERNAMA