NordLink, The North Sea (Norway-Germany)

Covering a total of 623 kilometers, NordLink is a HVDC (high-voltage direct current) transmission link which will increase energy security in both countries.

The consortium behind NordLink, which includes utilities Statnett and TenneT, has three important reasons for constructing the link. First, it supports the European Union’s target for CO2 emission reduction by allowing greater integration of renewables. The surplus wind power produced in Germany, which must be used as it is produced, can be transmitted to Norway.

Second, at the other end of the link, Norway can export more stable hydropower to help Germany meet the daily power demand. With the hydropower being used as a battery to balance the wind power generation, the link efficiently balances out fluctuations in demand, both daily and seasonal.

Third, the NordLink offers security of supply: interconnecting grids result in higher availability. The link is fundamental to connect Scandinavia with Germany and is designated to help create an integrated European energy market.

NKT designed, manufactured and installed the 525 kV MI (mass impregnated) cable system in the German sector. It includes 154 km of submarine and 54 km of underground cable route. The system is simplifying the interconnection of the grids and have the capacity to transmit 1,400 MW of renewable energy, which is enough to meet the power needs of about 3.6 million German households.

NKT did not only supply the cable system, produced at the Karlskrona factory running on 100% green electricity, but also ensured top quality and precision when it came to installation. We carried out the installation of the bundled offshore cable with our state-of-the-art cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria. The extensive onshore installation took 1,5 years and required the transportation of 96 cable drums, each with a weight of 67 tons.

The NordLink project was finalized and delivered in early 2021 on time and within the total budget of the customer. It is an excellent example of how HVDC technology can interconnect grids and help countries reach their targets for a renewable energy mix. The smart combination of renewables demonstrates that we can technologically enable a sustainable green energy policy across Europe. It also demonstrates NKT’s commitment to efficient use of renewables; we bring clean power to millions of people and support the energy policies of Germany and Norway. Our cutting-edge technology supports a greener world.