Progress in the construction of NewKent converter stations in Germany and the UK is significantly underway as part of a larger project to establish the first direct energy transfer link between these two countries. In this project, the construction of converter station buildings, 24 meters high and 70 meters wide, was fully completed earlier this year, and the main contractor, Siemens Energy, has now begun the internal and external installation phase.
Installation of Key Equipment
At the UK converter station, transformers measuring 7 meters in length, 5 meters in height, and weighing over 200 tons have been officially installed on site. Simultaneously, work on the installation of transformers and accessories continues at both sites in Germany and the UK. Inside the stations, the installation of cable trays, ladders, and HVAC systems is ongoing, while external works include the installation of cladding in Germany and nearing completion in the UK.
Read more: Stena Line Orders Two New Hybrid Ferries
Development of Electrical Infrastructure
Additionally, in Germany, several scaffold-type support towers have been constructed to hold overhead equipment at the AC switchyard station. Arno Griewo, CEO of NewKent, has announced that the construction of NewKent has entered a new and important phase, as the installation of key systems and equipment has begun, which will help supply energy for this vital link between the UK and Germany. With progress being made at the sea stations and significant advancements in the project, the construction team is achieving its goals.
This project, led by global investors including Meridiam, Allianz, Kansai Electric Power Company, and TIPCO, is designed as an "invisible energy highway" capable of transferring 1.4 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power 1.5 million homes, in both directions. The converter stations will be located on the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany.
Construction work at the UK site on the Isle of Grain began in the summer of 2023, and construction in Germany is set to begin in May 2024. This international link is expected to be operational by 2028.
Read more: Signing of Cooperation Agreement Between ABS and lomarlabs for the Development of Innovative Marine Technologies · Ørsted on the Green Path: Tax Agreement for Two Offshore Wind Farms in the UK
