UK / Germany: NeuConnect has achieved another important construction milestone after Siemens Energy completed the delivery of all 14 transformers needed for the new energy connection between the UK and Germany.
The $3.3 B (£2.4 B; €2.8 B) project, backed by investors including Meridiam, Allianz, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO, will create a 725 km subsea electricity link between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany.
The HVDC interconnector will allow up to 1.4 GW of electricity to move in both directions, supplying enough energy to power up to 1.5 million homes while supporting renewable energy integration and energy security.
Seven transformers have now been delivered to each converter station site in the UK and Germany. The final transformer recently arrived in Wilhelmshaven following earlier deliveries to the UK site.
Each transformer measures around seven metres long, five metres high and weighs more than 200 tonnes. They were transported from Siemens Energy’s factories in Nuremberg by barge along the Rhine to Rotterdam before being shipped onwards to Germany and the UK.
Construction of the converter station buildings is also progressing steadily. The structures in both countries have now reached their full height of 24 m, with exterior cladding work continuing.
At sea, more than 300 km of subsea cable has already been installed by Prysmian using the Leonardo da Vinci cable-laying vessel. All cabling in UK waters is complete, while work continues in Dutch and German waters.
NeuConnect CEO Arnaud Grévoz said: “The delivery of all 14 transformers was a huge task and completes another important milestone in this vital new energy link. With the construction of our onshore buildings reaching full height, and more than 300km of cabling now laid at sea, we are making good progress and remain firmly on track.”
Source: NeuConnect
