WEST SUSSEX, UK - GE's Grid Solutions has energized the Bolney substation owned by UK utility National Grid, which is the first of three substations to be part of the largest STATCOM scheme in Europe.

The Bolney substation supports the large population and load centers south of London, as well as high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnectors with Europe, reports T&D World.

With STATCOM technology in place, the Bolney 400 kV substation is now supporting National Grid's alternating current (AC) network and enhancing regional voltage stability for the UK-Belgium HVDC interconnection, which will deliver more than 1 GW of bi-directional power between the two countries.

Under the contract, GE will also supply its STATCOM solution to the Ninfield and Richborough substations along National Grid's transmission network in southeast UK.

Source: T&D World