The world’s longest submarine electricity cable is operational
(5/6/2008)
This morning (Tuesday, the 6th of May) the longest subsea high-voltage cable in the world was successfully put into operation: The NorNed cable between Norway (Feda) and the Netherlands (Eemshaven), 580 kilometres long.
The cable has a capacity of 700 megawatt and is intended for the transmission of electricity between the two countries. The connection is a piece in the jigsaw to create one big European electricity market. The cable itself will contribute to security of supply both in Norway and the Netherlands.
Norway and the Netherlands complement each other with regard to production and consumption of energy. Energy consumption in the Netherlands fluctuates to a higher extent than in Norway. In the Netherlands consumption is high during the day, while low during the night. In general, this is thought to give export of electricity from Norway to the Netherlands during the day, and vice versa during the night.
Patterns of power transmission are also thought to vary from season to season. Norway is based on electrical heating and consumes significantly more electricity during winter than summer time.
With introduction of the NorNed cable the Dutch and Norwegian power producing companies can improve efficiency in production of power, giving possible future positive contributions to CO2 levels. Moreover, the link also introduces green hydropower to the Dutch Market. All in all, the link is intended to give more stable and slightly lower power prices in both countries.
The NorNed cable is a joint project between the Norwegian and the Dutch Transmission System Operators (TSOs) Statnett and TenneT. Statnett is currently projecting and implementing a comprehensive investment scheme to secure future supply of electricity to Norway and contribute to a joint European power market.
Fact and figures
The cable is connected to two ‘high voltage direct current’ (HVDC) converter stations in Eemshaven and Feda. These stations cover an area of two football pitches each. The total weight of the cable is 47,000 tonnes and the cable has been installed in eight sections. It took three years and four months to install the cable, and more than ten years of planning.
- Cable length 580 kilometres
- 420 kilometres cable in shallow waters (up to 50 metres depth)
- 160 kilometres cable on a depth up to a maximum 410 metres
- Total weight of the cable 47,000 tonnes
- Maximum voltage on the cable + 450 kV (kilovolt) and –450 kV
- Cable capacity 700 MW
- 24 permits in four countries
- Total project costs 495 million EURO
Contacts:
Gunnar Romsaas
Senior Communications Advisor
Ph no: +47 22527577
Mob: +47 97733716
