"We are very pleased that we now have the Oslofjord cables between Moss and Horten back in regular operation. The repairs have been extensive and demanding. They have also taken significantly longer than planned due to the explosion in late May,” department head   Vibeke Hodne says.

The repairs of the connections between Moss and Horten were scheduled to be completed in May and the cable was scheduled to be reconnected on 1 June. But an explosion during the final voltage setting caused extensive damage to two of the six cables. It is these damages which have now been repaired.  

The resumption of operation is positive for the supply security in eastern Norway and for the exchange capacity between Norway and Sweden. With all three connections across the Oslofjord in operation, the exchange capacity with Sweden through Halden also increases. The maximum capacity after this will now be 2 050 MW export/2 000 MW import.

Statnett has started a project to assess alle the three Oslofjord connections. As a first step in renewing the cable connections, it has been decided to reinvest in a new cable facility between Moss and Horten. The project is well under way and is expected to be completed by 2011.   

Facts

• Statnett has a total of three cable connections over the Oslofjord. 
• In the spring of 2008, two of these connections experienced faults.
• The first was repaired and returned to normal operation in the autumn 2008. 
• The other, between Moss and Horten, was scheduled to resume operation on 1 June 2009.
• On 25 May 2009 there was an explosion during the final voltage testing of the cable 
• The explosion caused further damage to two of the six cables in the interconnector.
• The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, NVE, gave Statnett until 16 October to reconnect the connection.