160MW System (1961)
The first HVDC Cross-Channel scheme was built by ASEA and went into service in 1961 between converter stations at Lydd in England (next to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station) and Echinghen, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France. This scheme was equipped with Mercury arc valves, each having four anodes in parallel.
In order to keep the disturbances of the magnetic compasses of passing ships as small as possible, a bipolar cable was used. The cable had a length of 65 kilometres (40 mi) and was operated symmetrically at a voltage of ±100 kV and a maximum current of 800 amperes. The maximum transmission power of this cable was 160 megawatts (MW). The cable was built by ABB Group. Given that the cable was laid on the surface of the seabed it was prone to being fouled by fishing nets, causing damage. Whilst repairs were undertaken there was considerable down time on the circuit resulting in a loss of trading. Indeed by 1984 the circuit was disconnected from the Main Transmission System.
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