Embodiments are generally based on employing a power transmission line in a HVDC link to provide auxiliary power to one of the ends of the HVDC link for facilitating a black start thereof when the HVDC link is de-energized, i.e. when at least one of the HVDC converter stations is de-energized and there is no transmission of power between inverter and rectifier HVDC converter stations on each side of the HVDC link. A relatively small amount of power can be conveyed towards one of the HVDC converter stations via the power transmission line so as to provide power to any auxiliary system(s) of the converter station, for example prior to a black start of the converter station being carried out.