World’s longest interconnector starts to take shape

Contracts are being signed to provide the equipment for what will be the world’s longest undersea electricity interconnector, linking the electricity grids of Norway and the UK. The two-way, 1,400 MW interconnector will be 730 km long and will run between Kvilldal, Rogaland and Blyth in Northumberland. It is due to be completed in 2021.

Nexans has been awarded a €340mn contract by the Norwegian grid operator Statnett and the UK’s National Grid to supply the Norwegian side of connector, known as the North Sea Network (NSN) Link. Nexans will design, manufacture and install around 500 km of submarine high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable, which will be made up of two 525 kV cable systems. 

ABB has won a $450mn contract to provide the HVDC converter stations at both ends of the NSN Link. It will design, engineer, supply and commission the two 525 kV, 1,400 MW converter stations at Kvilldal and Blyth using its ‘Voltage Source Converter (VSC)’ technology, called ‘HVDC Light’ (pictured).

The link is designed to transmit power from the UK to Norway when wind generation is high and demand is low, and to transmit hydropower from Norway to the UK when the UK is short of supply.