The new cable connection between Norway and Germany has now entered trial operation, and the connection will be part of the normal power market. The connection has been tested since September, with both technology and IT systems undergoing thorough checks.
“We are proud that our new interconnector is ready to exchange energy between our two countries. NordLink will help us to achieve our climate goals and create value on both the Norwegian and the German side of the cable,” explains Executive Vice President Gunnar G. Løvås at Statnett.
The cable is now available for trading power. Today, we will transmit up to 720 MW. This will take place between 14 and midnight. The power will be transmitted from Norway to Germany.
"Today, we have directly connected the electricity markets of Norway and Germany for the first time. Norwegian hydropower and German wind energy complement each other in this system in an optimal way," says TenneT COO Tim Meyerjürgens.
NordLink has a capacity of 1,400 MW, but due to restrictions in the onshore power line network, the cable cannot be fully utilised every hour of the day during the first few years of operation.
“Although we will not initially be able to fully utilise the cable every hour of the day, the cable represents a sound financial investment. It will be in operation for 40 years, and will ensure that, here in Norway, we receive cheap wind power during windy weather in Germany and that German consumers can light their homes using Norwegian hydropower when the wind drops in Germany,” says Løvås.
"NordLink will be a cornerstone of the European energy transition. By exchanging electricity from wind and hydropower, we can achieve supply security while increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix. We are proud to be part of this technologically unique project,” says Markus Scheer, member of the management board of KfW IPEX-Bank.
NordLink is 632 km long and runs between Sirdal municipality in Norway and Wilster in Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. Construction started in 2016. The project will cost EUR 1.5 –2.0 billion, and Statnett jointly owns the cable with German companies TenneT and KfW. The project has been completed on schedule and on budget.