NKT Confirms Capacity Reservation with SSEN Transmission for Scottish Power Projects
NKTย has confirmed aย capacity reservation withย SSEN Transmissionย for two major Scottish power cable projects. The company previously held preferred bidder status for these developments. Now, NKT will supply and install power cables for two 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links that connect the Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead. These new links will strengthen Scotlandโs energy network and accelerate its renewable energy goals.
Stronger Energy Connections Through NKT Capacity Reservation
Under this agreement, NKT will handle both onshore and offshore cable systems for the two HVDC links. The reservation guarantees production and installation capacity for the 525 kV XLPE HVDC cable systems.
Although the final value has not been announced, early estimates suggest the combined projects will exceed โฌ1 billion. Both are expected to be completed by 2030. These large-scale efforts mark another major step forward in expanding Scotlandโs clean energy infrastructure.
NKT and SSEN Transmission Strengthen Their Partnership
NKT President and CEO Claes Westerlind said theย NKT capacity reservation with SSEN Transmissionย reflects the strong collaboration between the two companies. โReserving production and offshore installation capacity marks another milestone in our partnership,โ he noted. โThese projects directly support Scotlandโs ongoing green energy transition.โ
He also emphasized that the work fits perfectly with NKTโs long-term goals. The company recently expanded its high-voltage production facility in Karlskrona and added a new market-leading cable-laying vessel to its fleet. Both efforts increase NKTโs ability to deliver complex offshore projects efficiently.
Supporting Scotlandโs Pathway to 2030
The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead HVDC projects form part of theย Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (HND). This U.K.-wide initiative upgrades electricity networks to help both the U.K. and Scottish Governments reach renewable energy and climate targets by 2030.
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Theย Western Isles cable routeย includes about 160 km of 525 kV HVDC cable, expected to finish by late 2024.
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Theย Spittal-Peterhead routeย spans around 220 km and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
Together, these projects will improve cross-regional energy flow and create a more resilient Scottish grid. Most importantly, they will help deliver cleaner and more reliable electricity for generations to come.
