Siemens Energy, Sumitomo Electric to lead EPC of Greenlink interconnector project

A tie-up of German group Siemens Energy AG (ETR:ENR) and Japan’s Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd (TYO:5802) today said it has been chosen to build the 500-MW Greenlink interconnector between Wales and Ireland.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract was awarded by Greenlink Interconnector Ltd, which is fully owned by Swiss private markets investor Partners Group. The value of the award remained under wraps.

The 190-km (mile) high voltage direct current (HVDC) link will stretch from the existing EirGrid Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland, to the UK National Grid’s Pembroke substation in south Wales. Siemens Energy and Sumitomo will be in charge of installing the onshore and subsea HVDC cables, two converter stations, a tail station and onshore cables in both Ireland and Wales. The partners will also oversee the facility’s operations under a service and maintenance contract.

The subsea and underground electricity interconnector is due to be fully commissioned in 2024. Siemens Energy and Sumitomo will begin work at the start of 2022, once financial closing is reached.

Greenlink calls for a total investment of over EUR 500 million (USD 586.5m). Partners Group purchased the 51% stake it did now previously own in the Greenlink project from Ireland’s Element Power Holdings in May 2021.

(EUR 1.0 = USD 1.173)

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