The UK and Norway are now able to share renewable energy for the first time via the world’s longest subsea electricity interconnector — which connects Blyth in Northumberland with the Norwegian village of Kvilldal, near Stavanger.
National Grid’s €1.6 billion North Sea Link (NSL), a joint venture with Norwegian system operator Statnett, started commercial operations on October 1 with a three-month trial.
“By enabling the trade of renewable energy between the two countries, North Sea Link will help reduce the burning of fossil fuels in the UK and avoid 23 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2030,” said National Grid.
The 450-mile cable will start with a maximum capacity of 700 megawatts (MW) and gradually increase to the link’s full capacity of 1400MW over the three-month period.
The gradual increase in capacity follows the Norwegian system operator’s standard approach for integrating new interconnectors.
Once at full capacity, NSL will provide enough clean electricity to power 1.4 million homes.
North Sea Link will be the fifth interconnector for National Grid, which also operates links to Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
“By 2030, 90% of electricity imported via National Grid’s interconnectors will be from zero carbon sources saving 100 million tonnes of carbon – equivalent to taking two million cars off the road,” said National Grid.
“NSL has taken six years to build. Laying of the undersea cables began in 2018 and more than four million working hours have been spent on the project, including 5,880 working days at sea.
“Norwegian power generation is sourced from hydropower plants connected to large reservoirs, which can respond faster to fluctuations in demand compared to other major generation technologies.
“However, as the water level in reservoirs is subject to weather conditions, production varies throughout seasons and years.
“When wind generation is high and electricity demand low in Britain, NSL will enable renewable power to be exported from the UK, conserving water in Norway’s reservoirs.
“When demand is high in Britain and there is low wind generation, hydro power can be imported from Norway, helping to ensure secure, affordable and sustainable electricity supplies for UK consumers.”
Cordi O’Hara, President of National Grid Ventures, said: “This is an exciting day for National Grid and an important step as we look to diversify and decarbonise the UK’s electricity supply.
“North Sea Link is a truly remarkable feat of engineering.
“We had to go through mountains, fjords and across the North Sea to make this happen.
“But as we look forward to COP26, North Sea Link is also a great example of two countries working together to maximise their renewable energy resources for mutual benefit.
“We are delighted to have been able to work together with our Norwegian partners Statnett to deliver a world record asset that will make a positive impact on the lives of citizens on both sides of the North Sea.”
Statnett CEO Hilde Tonne said: “The sharing of renewable energy between countries and regions is a prerequisite for delivering a net zero future for everyone.
“As North Sea Link goes into trial operations, I am proud of the engineering feat produced by our joint team. North Sea Link brings the power systems on both sides of the North Sea closer to the future.”