Norwegian €2billion electricity link approved

A major electricity link that will see investment up to €2 billion is being created between Norway, Germany and the UK.

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum & Energy has confirmed that energy operator Statnett has been granted licence for two electricity interconnectors that are projected to enable shared resources between the three nations.

Construction of the Nord.Link undersea cables (which will each have a 1,400MW capacity) will begin with a link between Tonstad in Vest-Agder in Norway to Wilster in Germany.

It is set to be commissioned in 2018 and will be followed by another connection from Norway to Northumberland, UK, in 2020.

The joint venture scheme is being created with assistance from German system operator TenneT and the German state owned bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW).

For the UK element of the project, Statnett will work with the National Grid to create the North Sea Network. When completed, it is believed this section of the link between Norway and the UK will be the largest sub-sea cable project of its kind ever delivered.

According to Norway’s Minister of Petroleum & Energy Tord Lien, the scheme would have strong economic benefits in creating a more efficient combined energy supply.

It is estimated that the electricity link will help towards delivering renewable energy targets, and is it also hoped the scheme will assist in raising the value of Norwegian hydroelectric power.