Statnett Gets Green Light for Two Major Subsea Cable Links

Today, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has granted Statnett licences to construct interconnectors to Germany and the UK. These projects have thus taken an important step closer to realisation.

“We are very pleased that the Ministry has now issued licences for the two planned subsea cables to Germany and the UK. This is an important step towards realising the two projects as planned”, says Executive Vice President Håkon Borgen in Statnett.

“The two new interconnectors will be key parts of the next generation power system and will contribute to greater security of supply and more value creation in Norway. They will also pave the way for increased utilisation of renewable energy, and thereby for reaching the climate targets in Norway and our partner countries.”

Today’s decision means that both projects have been licenced for facilitation of power exchange with Germany and the UK. In addition, NordLink has been granted planning approval for its work on the Norwegian side. NSN already has a planning approval.

“We will proceed with the planning of these projects. Negotiations are being conducted with suppliers, and work is being done to clarify issues concerning regulations and remaining licences on the German and UK sides. We are working to have this in place in time for us to make our investment decision according to plan,” says Håkon Borgen.

NordLink is scheduled for completion within 2018. This interconnector will be developed and owned 50% by Statnett and 50% by a constellation consisting of the grid company TenneT and the German investment bank KfW. The subsea cable will have a capacity of 1400 MW and will run between Tonstad in Norway and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany.

NSN is scheduled for completion within 2020. This interconnector will be developed and owned 50% by Statnett and 50% by the British energy company National Grid. The subsea cable will have a capacity of 1400 MW and will run between Kvilldal in Norway and Blyth in the UK.

Press Release, October 13, 2014