A new high voltage direct current (HVDC) Centre has been opened in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.

The facility, which is owned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), is the first of its kind in the UK.

It provides an industry-wide collaborative testing facility for electricity transmission owners and operators, suppliers, developers and academic institutions to simulate the use of HVDC technology on Great Britain's electricity network.

Using powerful computer simulators, the centre will replicate the electricity network in real time to allow engineers to study the impact HVDC systems can have, as well as identifying/mitigating any risks in a safe test environment before the technology goes live on the network.

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It will play an important role in the development of various HVDC technology projects such as the Caithness-Moray subsea transmission line, which is currently under construction.

Speaking after opening of the Centre, Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn said: "I am delighted to open the centre - the first of its kind in the country. It will play a crucial role in supporting the future of our electricity network including major transmission reinforcement between Caithness and Moray and will support construction jobs boosting the economy.

"Once the building is operational it will also create new high-skilled jobs in the area making it a key location for electrical research and innovation."

David Gardner, Director of Transmission at SSEN, said: "The HVDC Centre is going to play a crucial role in creating the electricity networks of the future. The use of HVDC technology is becoming more common, with at least four schemes due to connect to the GB network in the next few years. The complexity this will cause will be eased through the testing facility here in Cumbernauld as we can model the network to ensure we are ready for the adoption of the technology."

(LM/MH)