The Switzerland-based group ABB has won an US$800m (€621m) order from Scottish Hydro Electric (SHE) Transmission (UK) to provide the Caithness-Moray high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission link, which will connect the electricity grid on either side of the Moray Firth in northern Scotland. ABB will design, engineer, supply and commission two 320 kV land-based HVDC Light converter stations, one rated at 1,200 MW at Blackhillock in Moray and another rated at 800 MW situated at Spittal in Caithness. SHE Transmission is undertaking a major strengthening of its power network serving the north of Scotland to accommodate the rapid growth in generation of electricity from renewable sources, with around 1,200 MW of wind, wave and tidal energy planned to be connected. ABB will also supply submarine and underground cables covering a total transmission of 160 km long. The link is scheduled to become operational in 2018.