Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd announced that that it has received the contract for a 250kV HVDC cable link in Japan.
In a release, Sumitomo Electric said that the 250kV DC XLPE cable project is a pivotal part of the Hokuto-Imabetsu HVDC Link Enhancement Project being implemented by Hokkaido Electric Power Network, Inc.
The Hokuto-Imabetsu HVDC Link, also known as the New Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link, connects the power grids of Hokkaido and Honshu (mainland of Japan) in order to expand the renewable energy, ensure the stable supply and adjustment of electric capacity, and strengthen the resilience of the transmission network in Hokkaido area. This link has started its operation since March 28, 2019.
Enhancing transfer capacity
Sumitomo Electric, which constructed the underground section of the New Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link, has recently been awarded the construction project for the additional New Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link, which is projected to increase the transmission capacity of the existing New Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link.
In this project an additional 250kV DC XLPE cable approximately 24 km will be installed inside the Seikan Tunnel so that the total transmission capacity of interconnection lines between Hokkaido and Honshu will be increased by 0.3 GW — from 0.9 GW to 1.2 GW.
Including this project, Sumitomo Electric will execute all three DC XLPE cable interconnection projects in Japan:
- Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link by Electric Power Development Co Ltd
- Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link by Hokuden Network (Existing)
- Hokkaido-Honshu HVDC Link by Hokuden Network (Additional)
Importance of DC XLPE cables
The Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators formulated the “Long-Term Policy for Nation-Wide Grids – the Master Plan for Nation-Wide Interconnected Grids” in March 2023 to achieve the government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
This plan includes additional new wide-area interconnected grid development projects aimed at realizing carbon neutrality by 2050, and maintaining stable power supply. Consequently, the importance of DC XLPE cables has increased significantly to achieve above goals. Sumitomo Electric will strive to contribute to realize the Master Plan for Nation-Wide Interconnected Grids with the international and Japanese supply record and reliability of DC XLPE cables which we have developed and manufactured for a long time.
Also read: Sumitomo Electric Plans Power Cable Factory In UK
Featured photograph (source: Sumitomo Electric) is for representation only
