Statnett, TenneT and KfW have decided to prioritise the development of the NORD.LINK project. The NORD.LINK interconnector will run between Tonstad (Norway) and Wilster (Germany).
Project partners Statnett, TenneT and KfW are currently in the developing phase of one 1400 MW electricity interconnector between Germany and Norway with the goal to have it operational by the end of 2018.This phase is used to prepare the required information and perform the necessary work to be able to take the final investment decision for the project mid-2014.
While two different projects were optional, the project partners have decided to prioritise and to cooperate in the development of the NORD.LINK cable. The decision is based on lower cost and lower technical risk, shorter building period, higher socio-economic benefit and licensing aspects.
Landing points for 1400 MW DC subsea cable will be in Tonstad in Vest-Agder (Norway) and Wilster in Schleswig-Holstein (Germany). Provided that licenses are awarded in time and that suppliers have the necessary capacity to construct the interconnector, NORD.LINK will be in operation before the end of 2018.
The NORD.LINK interconnector comprises an investment volume of approximately EUR 1.5 – 2 billion. The three-party agreement provides for a 50:50 partnership between Norway and Germany. Norway’s Statnett will own 50 per cent of the project. On the German side, KfW and TenneT will jointly own 50 per cent of the project. The high voltage direct current interconnector will enable energy to flow between Germany and Norway and help improve the distribution of in particular renewable energy sources, between the two nations.
The integration of the Norwegian and German electricity markets, which thus far are not connected directly, will ensure improved security of supply in the two countries, increase market efficiency, and stabilize prices between seasons.
The NorGer project will also be developed further as a separate project, and can potentially be realized within the ten following years after the first one. This is dependent, among many other things, on further grid development in Norway and Germany and the future market design in European power markets. Planned landing point for this project will be in Elsfleth-West in Lower Saxony (Germany). Landing point in Norway is not yet determined.
[mappress] Press Release, March 06 , 2013