License granted for electricity interconnectors to Germany and the UK

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has today granted Statnett licenses for two new electricity interconnectors, one to Germany and one to the United Kingdom. In total, this will increase Norway’s interconnection capacity with near 50 percent. Statnett plans commissioning of the cable to Germany in 2018, while the cable to the UK is planned commissioned in 2020.

Statnett owns both interconnectors on the Norwegian side. Statnett is cooperating with the German system operator TenneT and the German state owned bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) about the Norway-Germany project project, Nord.Link. Statnett is cooperating with UK system operator National Grid about the Norway-UK project, North Sea Network (NSN).

- Interconnection with Germany and the UK will give a better utilization of the power systems and create economic benefits. These cables are important for successfully increasing our share of renewable energy, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Mr. Tord Lien.

Both interconnectors will have a  capacity of 1400 megawatt (MW). The interconnector to the UK will be the world’s longest sub-sea cable of its kind.

- The electricity interconnectors will contribute to Norwegian renewable energy replacing fossil energy in Europe and will facilitate green value creation in Norway, says Minister for Climate and Environment, Tine Sundtoft.

The interconnectors will create economic benefits, including revenues on the interconnector and by increasing the value of Norwegian hydro power. The transition to renewable energy in Europe will interact well with the Norwegian hydro based power system. The Ministry estimates that the benefits of the interconnectors will exceed the costs. Together, the two cables will strengthen the Northern European electricity grid and contribute to more efficient power markets.