21 September 2021 - 500MW 190km electricity infrastructure project scheduled for commissioning in 2024
Greenlink has awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Greenlink electricity interconnector project to a consortium comprised of Siemens Energy AG (Siemens Energy) and Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd (Sumitomo Electric).
As part of an overall project investment that exceeds €500m, the contract will deliver the 190km subsea and underground electricity interconnector to connect the power grids of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The engineering, procurement, and construction contract will cover works on the onshore and subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems, two converter stations, a tail station at Great Island in Wexford and onshore cable works in Wexford and Pembrokeshire, Wales. The award also includes a service and maintenance contract for operations and maintenance following commissioning of the project, which is expected to be in 2024. Work will begin at the start of 2022, following financial close.
James O’Reilly, the recently-appointed CEO of Greenlink, commented:
“We are delighted to have reached another significant milestone in the delivery of the Greenlink project with the signing of the contract with Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric. Greenlink is one of Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects, contributing to energy security, regional investment, jobs and the cost-effective integration of low carbon energy, and we have chosen a consortium with exceptional experience, skill and standing in the energy and engineering sector for this major undertaking. We will be looking to maximise local supply chain benefits during the three-year construction period and we look forward to working with Siemens Energy and Sumitomo Electric towards successful commissioning in 2024.”
The project is considered of critical importance in Europe and has been awarded "Project of Common Interest" status by the European Commission. It is owned on behalf of its clients by leading global private markets firm, Partners Group, which has more than US$119billion in assets under management with 20 offices worldwide.
Greenlink will offer local supply chain opportunities and plans are being drawn up for ‘meet-the-buyer’ events for potential suppliers in the local areas prior to construction. These are expected to be held later this year and details will be published on the Greenlink website.
CONTACTS FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
UK: Anna Stanford, Communications Adviser: +44 7961 234634 Anna.Stanford@greenlink.ie
Ireland: Seán Perry, Keating Associates (Ireland): +353 87 9015013
Nishihira Reika, Sumitomo Electric: +813 64062701; web@info.sei.co.jp
Christina Hümmer, Siemens Energy: +49 152 07158923; Christina.Huemmer@siemens-energy.com
NOTES:
About Greenlink
Greenlink is a proposed interconnector linking the power markets in Ireland and Great Britain. The project comprises a subsea and underground cable and associated converter stations to connect EirGrid’s Great Island transmission substation in County Wexford (Ireland) and National Grid’s Pembroke transmission substation in Pembrokeshire (Wales). It has a nominal capacity of 500MW. The privately-financed project is being developed by Greenlink Interconnector Limited and has received funding from the Connecting Europe Facility of the European Union. The Greenlink interconnector is expected to be commissioned in 2024. More details at: www.greenlink.ie @Greenlink_IC
About Sumitomo Electric
Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. was established in 1897. Since then, based on electric wire and cable manufacturing technologies, we have conducted our original research & development and strenuously strived for the establishment of new businesses. These efforts have allowed us to create new products and new technologies, as well as diversify our business fields. Currently, we operate our businesses on a global basis in the following five segments: Automotive, Info-communications, Electronics, Environment & Energy and Industrial Materials. The Company operates in more than 40 countries, employing 280,000 people. Sumitomo Electric reported group net sales of $28.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 2021. We have been contributing to society through environmental friendly and fair business activities globally. Further information is available here https://sumitomoelectric.com/.
About Siemens Energy
Siemens Energy is one of the world’s leading energy technology companies. The company works with its customers and partners on energy systems for the future, thus supporting the transition to a more sustainable world. With its portfolio of products, solutions and services, Siemens Energy covers almost the entire energy value chain – from power generation and transmission to storage. The portfolio includes conventional and renewable energy technology, such as gas and steam turbines, hybrid power plants operated with hydrogen, and power generators and transformers. More than 50 percent of the portfolio has already been decarbonized. A majority stake in the listed company Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) makes Siemens Energy a global market leader for renewable energies. An estimated one-sixth of the electricity generated worldwide is based on technologies from Siemens Energy. Siemens Energy employs more than 90,000 people worldwide in more than 90 countries and generated revenue of around €27.5 billion in fiscal year 2020. www.siemens-energy.com.