Biscay Gulf

The Biscay Gulf HVDC interconnection is an HVDC Light^® project, enabling power transmission between Spain and France.

The interconnection is made of two parallel links between Gatika, near Bilbao in Spain and Cubnezais, near Bordeaux in France and the system is designed to deliver 2x1,000 MW of electricity at 400 kilovolts (kV) over 400 kilometers (km).

Each of the links consists of two HVDC converter station and both links are constituted of symmetric monopolar systems, at a nominal DC voltage of ± 400 kV.

Each converter station has the feature to operate as a STATCOM and during this operation mode, stations can independently operate within the full capability of reactive power. The system also includes, for all converter stations, the capability to start up a black AC network, up to the full converter capability.

The link will improve safety, stability and quality of the electricity supply between the two countries. It will advance the integration of emission-free electricity and create a more efficient system to generate savings that benefit consumers and the rest of Europe.