TenneT, Statnett, and KfW have given a green light for the electricity connection between Norway and Germany by signing the ownership agreement yesterday.
Construction of the system will start as soon as contracts are signed with the contractors responsible for the production and installation of the cable and converter stations.
‘This is again a major step towards a more integrated European energy market, and an important contribution to the German energy transition. With this interconnector we can exchange energy between two complimentary energy systems, with Germany’s increasing production of wind power and solar power on one side, and Norway’s production from hydropower on the other’, said Mel Kroon, CEO of TenneT.
Connecting Norwegian hydropower to German wind energy will be benefitial for both countries. When for instance a surplus of wind energy is produced in Germany, this can be exported to Norway via NordLink. The water reservoirs in Norway will then function as natural storage for wind energy by retaining the water in the reservoirs. Likewise, Germany can import the renewable Norwegian hydropower when demand is high.
The interconnector comprises an investment volume of approximately EUR 1.5 – 2 billion. The NordLink project will be realised by the Norwegian TSO Statnett and DC Nordseekabel GmbH & Co. KG, both of whom have a share of 50%. The German TSO TenneT and German promotional bank KfW both have share of 50% in DC Nordseekabel. DC Nordseekabel is responsible for the construction of the German part of the project, including permits. The HVDC link will have a capacity of 1.400 megawatts (MW) and will run between Tonstad in Norway and Wilster in Schleswig-Holstein/Germany.