SSEN Transmission has awarded global cable manufacturer NKT a record €2 billion contract to design, manufacture and install 525kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables for subsea links serving the Western Isles and the North East of Scotland. The deals cover the proposed Western Isles link to the Scottish mainland and a new Spittal–Peterhead connection, both central to SSEN Transmission’s £22 billion-plus investment in critical grid infrastructure.
The Western Isles subsea link will enable renewable power from island generators to be exported to the mainland grid and imported when needed to support demand. The Spittal to Peterhead route will create a strategic transmission corridor across the north of Scotland, underpinning energy security and national clean power targets.
These projects build on NKT and SSEN Transmission’s previous collaboration on the Caithness–Moray and Shetland subsea cable links. NKT’s global track record in HVDC technology is viewed as key to delivering reliable, large-scale transmission of renewable energy across Great Britain.
The award aligns with SSEN Transmission’s commitment to embed social value in major infrastructure projects. As the first signatory to the Highland Social Value Charter, the company has pledged local contracts, investment in roads and bridges, support for housing, community benefit funding and a net gain in biodiversity as part of its investment programme.
SSEN Transmission’s pipeline of more than £22 billion aims to upgrade the transmission network across the North of Scotland while supporting inclusive economic growth. The Western Isles and Spittal–Peterhead links are expected to open up new opportunities for local jobs, supply chains and skills development.
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Claes Westerlind, President and CEO of NKT, said: “This milestone reinforces our strong position in the UK market and reflects our commitment to strengthening the cable infrastructure supporting the region’s transition to renewable energy.”
Sandy Mactaggart, SSEN Transmission’s Director of Offshore Delivery, said: “This is the largest contract award in SSEN Transmission’s history, underlining both the scale of the challenge ahead and the scale of our commitment to delivering the infrastructure our energy system needs.”
Ronnie Fleming, SSE’s Chief Procurement Officer, said: “This award represents one of the most significant procurement exercises SSE has ever undertaken, reflecting both the scale and complexity of the infrastructure required to deliver the UK’s net zero ambition.”
