NeuConnect moves into next stage of construction with Converter Station fit out works now underway

• Key mechanical and electrical systems and equipment being installed to help to power vital new UK-German energy link

NeuConnect has moved into the next stage of construction with fit out works now underway at its huge Converter Stations in the UK and Germany – the works will see key mechanical and electrical systems being installed to help to power the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany.

Led by global investors Meridiam, Allianz, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO, the £2.4bn/€2.8bn NeuConnect project will be one of the world’s largest interconnectors – new Converter Stations being built on the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany will be connected by 725km of subsea cables, forming  an ‘invisible energy highway’ between two of Europe’s largest energy markets. The new link will allow 1.4GW of electricity – enough to power up to 1.5 million homes – to flow in either direction, helping to boost energy security and integrating UK and German renewable energy sources.

The construction of the huge 24-metre-high, 70-metre-wide Converter Hall buildings in the UK and Germany reached full height earlier this year. With the main building structures now largely completed, main contractor Siemens Energy is moving into the internal and external fit out phase that will include:

• Transformers moved into position – A total of 14 transformers (7 in each country) were delivered to the UK and Germany Converter Stations earlier this year. At the UK Converter Station, the huge transformers – each measuring 7 metres long by 5 metres tall and weighing over 200 tonnes– have now been moved into position, while at both the UK and DE sites work is underway to fit the Transformers with equipment and accessories
• Converter Stations taking shape inside and outside – internal mechanical and electrical fit out works are well underway in the Converter Stations, with cable trays, ladders and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducting being installed throughout. External works are also continuing with cladding works underway in Germany and nearing completion in the UK – the new cladding shows the end colour of the buildings which have been designed to reduce their visual impact on the horizon. Other external works include installing guttering and drainage equipment; and preparing site roads for tarmacking to help form access routes across all parts of the Converter Station sites
• Installation works underway in Control Buildings – each Converter Station in the UK and Germany includes a Control Building that will become the central operational hub once NeuConnect goes live. Work is now underway to install raised flooring, cable trays and ducting throughout the buildings
• AC Switchyard structures being installed – in Germany, the AC Switchyard (the key area that protects and controls alternating current (AC) supply into the Converter Station) has seen a number of trellis-type support towers now constructed that will hold key overhead equipment
• Offshore works making good progress – along with onshore construction works, offshore cabling works are also making good progress. NeuConnect’s huge cabling programme passed the halfway point this summer with well over 350km of subsea cabling now laid by main contractor Prysmian

NeuConnect CEO Arnaud Grévoz said: “NeuConnect’s construction is moving into an important new phase as we start to install the key systems and equipment that will help to power this vital new UK-German energy link. With our onshore Converter Stations taking shape and offshore cabling works also well over halfway, we are making good progress and remain firmly on track.”