Contracts for Norway-Germany power link agreed

OREANDA-NEWS. The consortium developing the planned 1.4GW Nordlink power interconnector between Norway and Germany has agreed contracts with the companies that will build and install the cable, clearing the way for construction work to begin.

Swiss energy firm ABB has been selected to manufacture and install the 154km of subsea cable required by the project's owners, Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett, its German counterpart Tennet and German state-owned bank KfW.

ABB will also supply the direct current land cable on the German side of the interconnector, although Statnett has chosen French firm Nexans to carry out the installation of the cable required in Norway.

Nordlink will become the first direct interconnection between Germany and Norway and will allow the countries to share each other's vast renewable power generation. The export of surplus German wind power to Norway will allow Norwegian hydropower producers to conserve more of their reserves on windy days, meaning that the reservoirs will in effect act as natural storage for wind power generation. Germany will be able to import Norway's hydropower generation on days of less wind or strong demand.

"This connection will contribute to supply on both sides and a climate-friendly, efficient power system for the future," Statnett chief executive Auke Lont said.

Nordlink will run through the North Sea between converter stations in Tonstad, Norway, and Wilster, Germany. If construction begins this year, as expected, the interconnector should begin a trial operation period during 2019 before entering into commercial operation in 2020.