NEMO LINK has announced the two winning contractors who will build the first electricity interconnector between GB and Belgium. They are Siemens and J–Power Systems, the Japan-based company, a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
The contracts are together valued at about €500m. Siemens will build the converter stations in both Kent and Zeebrugge using their HVDC Plus technology and they will have a 5 year service and maintenance agreement. J-Power systems will design, manufacture and install the HVDC XLPE cable system. The engineering design work and site preparation should begin later this year and it’s anticipated that the interconnector will go into commercial operation in 2019. The link will increase energy security for both countries and support integration of renewable energy.
