The world’s longest submarine power cable enters service

A 450-mile submarine cable that connects the UK and Norway, allowing them to share renewable energy, has been commissioned.

In a statement released late last week, Britain’s National Grid dubbed the North Sea link’s 1.6 billion euros ($ 1.86 billion) “longest underwater electrical interconnection. in the world”. The North Sea Link is a joint venture with the Norwegian Statnett, owner and operator of the country’s electricity transmission network.

The idea behind the NSL is that it harnesses hydropower from Norway and wind power resources from the UK. According to National Grid, when UK wind generation is high and demand for electricity is low, the system will facilitate exports to Norway. This in turn will help conserve water in the tanks of the latter.

“When demand is high in Britain and wind power is low, hydropower can be imported from Norway,” he added.

While Norway has a long history of oil and gas production, authorities say 98% of its electricity production comes from renewables, with hydropower accounting for the vast majority.

National Grid has previously described the interconnects as “high voltage cables used to connect the power systems of neighboring countries”, facilitating the trade of surplus electricity.

The project connects the English town of Blyth to Kvilldal in Norway and will have a maximum initial capacity of 700 megawatts. This will increase to a “full capacity” of 1,400 MW over a three-month period.

In its own announcement, Statnett called the three months a “trial period”. In comments posted by National Grid, Statnett CEO Hilde Tonne said: “As North Sea Link enters test operations, I am proud of the engineering feat produced by our joint team.”

The North Sea Link is National Grid’s fifth interconnector – others link the Netherlands, France and Belgium. Looking ahead, National Grid has said that 90% of the electricity imported through its interconnections will come from zero carbon sources by 2030.

Last November, plans were announced for a multibillion-pound ‘underwater energy highway’ that would send electricity produced in Scotland to the north-east of England.

The Eastern Link project, as it is called, will focus on the development of a pair of high voltage direct current cables with a total capacity of up to 4 gigawatts.

If fully realized, the project, which is currently in the early stages of development, would link two points in Scotland – Peterhead and Torness – with Selby and Hawthorn Point in England.