Sumitomo Electric and Van Oord Lead Shetland 2 Agreement
Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI)ย andย Van Oord Offshore Wind UKโworking together as theย Sumitomo Electric Van Oord Consortium (SVOC)โsecured preferred bidder status for theย Shetland 2 High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)ย subsea link. The project supportsย SSEN Transmissionย in expanding the electricity grid across northern Scotland.
Strengthening Scotlandโs Energy Network
National Grid ESOย confirmed that theย Shetland 2 HVDC projectย forms a key part of itsย โBeyond 2030โ plan. The new subsea link will connectย Shetlandย with theย main U.K. electricity grid, strengthening reliability and advancing renewable power generation.
The project will also connectย three ScotWind offshore wind farmsย near Shetland. These connections will help reduce emissions, increase energy security, and push Scotland closer to its decarbonization goals.
Driving Offshore Wind Energy Growth
Located betweenย Orkney,ย the Faroe Islands, andย Norway, theย Shetland Islandsย are becoming a key hub for offshore wind. The new HVDC link will enhance grid capacity and support the delivery of renewable energy from the sea to the mainland.
Sumitomo Electricย continues expanding its cable production capabilities through its newย high-voltage cable plantย inย Nigg, Scotland. The facility is under construction and will create aroundย 170 jobsย once completed.
Scottish Government Invests in Clean Energy Infrastructure
Mร iri McAllan, Scotlandโs Energy Secretary, announced that the Scottish Government will invest up toย ยฃ500 millionย to boost the offshore wind supply chain. She said the Shetland 2 project demonstrates confidence in the countryโs renewable energy potential and will help create new opportunities for workers and businesses.
Rob McDonald, Managing Director atย SSEN Transmission, stated that he expects to finalize the contract with the consortium soon. Meanwhile,ย Ofgemย continues developing the regulatory framework for Shetland 2 and otherย Beyond 2030ย projects, with a final decision expected later this year.
For more information, visitย Sumitomo Electric Industriesย orย SSEN Transmission.
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