A method to control a voltage source converter (CON1; CON2) in a HVDC system comprises the step of controlling a frequency and a voltage amplitude of an AC voltage (UV1; UV2) generated by the voltage source converter (CON1; CON2) independently of the conditions in an AC network (N1; N2) connected to the voltage source converter (CON1; CON2). This method is performed by a control unit of a HVDC system. In a special embodiment, the method forms the basis of a method to black start an AC network, where the AC network comprises transmission lines and is connected to at least two AC power stations, where one of the at least two AC power stations is connected via a HVDC system to the AC network.