Sellindge HVDC Static Inverter Plant

 electrical sub-station, power equipment

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Sellindge HVDC Static Inverter Plant is the terminal of the HVDC cable linking power grids of UK and France, which went in service in 1983 and replaced the old HVDC station at Dungeness Power Plant near Lydd. It has a maximum transmission rate of 2000 megawatts between France and Great Britain. This new HVDC-link is 73 km long in route, with 70 km between the two ends. The undersea section consists of eight 46 km long 270 kV submarine cables, laid between Folkestone (UK) and Sangatte (France). The landside parts of the link consist of 8 cables with lengths of 18.5 km in England, and 6.35 km in France.

As of 2005 imports of electricity from France have historically accounted for about 5% of electricity available in the UK. Imports through the interconnector have generally been around the highest possible level, given the capacity of the link. In 2006, 97.5% of the energy transfers have been made from France to UK, supplying the equivalent of 3 million English homes. The link availability is around 98%, which is among the best rates in the world. The continued size and duration of this flow is open to some doubt, given the growth in demand in Europe for clean electricity, and increasing electricity demand within France.