The National Grid Awards Contracts to Ten Suppliers for HVDC Supply Chain Framework
The National Grid has recently announced the awarding of contracts to ten suppliers as part of a £59 billion high voltage direct current (HVDC) supply chain framework. This significant move sets the stage for the delivery of necessary works and equipment for crucial energy projects across the UK.
The HVDC supply chain framework, initiated in 2023, aims to establish long-term strategic relationships and secure critical equipment for current and future projects. The framework has awarded six HVDC cable suppliers positions totaling around £21.3 billion and four suppliers positions on the HVDC converter framework totaling about £24.6 billion, covering confirmed and anticipated projects.
The successful HVDC cable suppliers include the Hellenic Cables and Jan De Nul consortium, LS Cable & System, NKT Cables, Prysmian Group, Sumitomo Electric, and Taihan Cable & Solution. On the other hand, the HVDC converter systems framework has been awarded to GE Vernova, Hitachi Energy, Mitsubishi Electric, and Siemens Energy.
These contracts span a five-year period, with the possibility of extension for another three years. The suppliers will play a key role in supporting the delivery of early projects such as Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4), Sealink, Lionlink, and other similar projects.
Sumitomo Electric, for instance, plans to manufacture HVDC submarine power cables for National Grid’s projects at its new factory in northeast Scotland.
“This is another exciting milestone in delivering the greatest overhaul of the grid in a generation – The Great Grid Upgrade,” said Carl Trowell, President of Strategic Infrastructure at National Grid.
“We are committed to building the infrastructure that will enable our country’s current and future energy needs, at pace. This framework allows us to harness National Grid’s scale to access global supply chains, drive efficiencies, foster innovative technologies, and contribute to the UK’s economic prosperity.”