The design and development of a 2000MW HVDC interconnector between Great Britain and France

AQUIND interconnector will provide a 2000MW HVDC electricity link between the electricity networks of Great Britain (GB) and France. To comply with the connection limitations in GB the link is being developed as 2 independent 1000MW symmetrical monopoles, operating at a DC voltage of ±320kV. As described in the paper, the links will use the latest Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology to provide significant ancillary services in addition to controlled power flow. The converter stations in each country are linked by a total of 56km of underground cables, 19km in GB and 37km in France, and 182km of submarine cable. The choice of insulation for the DC cable will be cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE).