On 28 August 2023, NKT confirmed reservation of production and offshore installation capacity for Scottish transmission system operator (TSO) SSEN Transmission, for power cable systems for two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission links running from the Western Isles to the Scottish mainland, and from Spittal in Caithness to Peterhead. Now, NKT has signed a framework agreement with SSEN Transmission, and the parties have agreed to proceed with initial work for the two Scottish HVDC interconnectors issued under the framework agreement. With these steps, NKT and SSEN Transmission continue the close collaboration with the aim to strengthen the cable infrastructure supporting the region's transition to renewable energy.

The Western Isles and Spittal-Peterhead offshore HVDC transmission links are part of The Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design (HND) which is a major upgrade of the electricity transmission network across Great Britain. SSEN Transmission play a central role in executing on the HND, supporting the journey to meet UK and Scottish Governments 2030 renewable energy and climate change targets. The HND sets out a single, integrated grid design that supports the large-scale delivery of electricity generated from offshore wind.

NKT and SSEN Transmission expect the final construction contracts for the two projects to be called off 1H 2026. Western Isles. Cable route: approximately 160 km of 525 kV HVDC combined on- and offshore route length.

Transmission link capacity: 1.8 GW. Schedule: the final construction contract is expected to be called off first half 2026.