Prysmian Group Awarded SOO Green HVDC Link Project

SOO Green HVDC Link on June 21 announced the selection of Prysmian Group as its preferred supplier of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems for the transmission project to be installed underground along existing railroad rights of way (ROWs).

The 2,100-MW interregional project will connect two of the largest energy markets in the United States. By linking the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) to the PJM Interconnection, SOO Green will deliver renewable energy to population centers from Chicago to the Mid-Atlantic region.

With a value of about $900m, Prysmian Group will provide ±525 kV class HVDC cable to transmit enough renewable energy to power more than 1.2 million homes. The award is subject to the finalization of contract. The construction part of the project, currently under finalization, will be done by Jingoli Power and will be added to the overall contract value. Prysmian will be responsible for the full turnkey contract.

The 350-mile project will require 700 miles of paired ±525 kV cross-linked polyethylene class cables installed underground primarily along existing railroad ROWs connecting SOO Green’s converter station in northern Iowa to its Illinois converter station just west of Chicago.

Cable production for the project is expected to start in 2023. Cables will be manufactured in Prysmian's Abbeville, S.C., facility, which will be upgraded to supply the high voltage cable needed to help achieve President Biden’s goal of a zero-carbon power grid by 2035.