Hyundai Engineering & Construction (Hyundai E&C) has secured a contract to construct a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line in Saudi Arabia.

As per the statement, the company has signed a contract for the “Saudi Neom-Yanbu 525kV HVDC Transmission Line Construction Project,” a project worth US$145 million (approximately 185 billion won), commissioned by the Saudi Electricity Company.

The project involves expanding the power network by constructing a HVDC transmission line over a total distance of 605 km from Yanbu, a power production hub on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, to the new city of Neom.

Hyundai E&C will be handling the construction of 207 km of transmission lines and approximately 450 transmission towers, known as the Portion 1 project. The completion of the project is expected in July 2027.

A HVDC transmission line is a technology that converts alternating current (AC) power produced at power plants into high voltage direct current for transmission to its destination. It is superior in stability and efficiency as it reduces energy loss during long-distance transmission and allows for compatibility between AC systems regardless of frequency. It is an emerging transmission technology favorable for transmitting renewable energy such as solar and offshore wind power.