Fast Forward - HVDC Special Issue

HVDC Milestones

• 2006
  Commissioning of the world's largest Voltage Source Converter HVDC transmission, Estlink, 350 MW.
  2005
  Commissioning of the world's first offshore platform HVDC transmission: Troll HVDC Light (2 x 42 MW), Norway.
  2002
  The world's largest HVDC converter, 1,500 MW, 500 kV, commissioned in pole 1 of the Three Gorges Changzhou transmission, China. The world's longest land cable, the Murraylink HVDC Light transmission (220 MW, 180 km) commissioned in Australia.
  2000
  The world's first HVDC project with CCC (Capacitor Commutated Converter) commissioned at Garabi, Brazil, 2x550 MW back-to-back.
  1999
  The world's first commercial HVDC Light (50 MW) project commissioned in Gotland, Sweden.
  1994
  New world record for HVDC submarine cables: 450 kV, 600 MW, 250 km for Baltic Cable, Sweden - Germany.
  1992
  The first multi-terminal HVDC transmission, Quebec – New England (2,000 MW, ± 500 kV) commissioned.
  1989
  New world record for HVDC submarine cables: 400 kV, 500 MW, 200 km for Fenno-Skan.
  1987
  Itaipu bipole 2 (3,150 MW, ±600 kV) commissioned.
  1985
  Itaipu bipole 1 (3,150 MW, ±600 kV) commissioned. The 200 MW Highgate back-to-back station commissioned after a record short delivery time of 17 months.
  1982
  The world's first project with 500 kV thyristor valves: Inga-Shaba, Congo, transmission (560 MW) commissioned. (Also the world's longest line – 1,700 km.)
  1979
  Contract signed for the world's largest HVDC transmission: Itaipu, Brazil, 6,300 MW, ± 600 kV.
  1975
  The world's first HVDC transmission project with 12-pulse converters: pole 1 of the Skagerrak link, 500 MW, Norway – Denmark, commissioned.
  1970
  ABB's last mercury-arc valve project commissioned: Pacific Intertie (1,440 MW, ±400 kV), USA.
  1965
  Mercury-arc valve project commissioned: Konti-Skan (250 MW), Sakuma (300 MW) (image) and New Zealand (600 MW). Development starts on HVDC valve based on thyristors.
  1954
  First HVDC project