Prysmian, Nexans, ABB Become NSN Link Dream Team

Contracts totalling €1.5billion have been awarded to build the NSN link – the first electricity link between UK and Norway.

NSN Link has contracted two cable suppliers, Prysmian and Nexans, to deliver the cable needed for the 740 kilometre route length. The converter stations in both UK and Norway will be delivered by ABB.

The project, which will establish a first direct connection between the two countries energy systems, is a joint venture between National Grid and Statnett SF, the Norwegian transmission system operator. The new interconnector will contribute to increased production and use of renewable energy on both sides and will have a capacity of 1400MW.

The project comprises a 730 kilometres subsea HVDC system with cables which will be the longest of its type in the world, with a 10 kilometre onshore route. With twin cabling the total length required is approximately 1,450 kilometres of cable. It will run from Blyth in Northumberland on the UK side to Kvilldal in Rogaland on the Norwegian side.

Prysmian will supply and install 950 km of submarine and land cables for the UK and Norwegian North Sea sections of the route. The cables will be produced at its Arco Felice factory in Naples and the company will use its own cable laying vessel Giulio Verne.

Nexans will supply the fjord, tunnel and lake sections, as well as the onshore connection in Norway. The company will design and manufacture some 500 km of HVDC cables at its Halden plant. The cables will be laid by Nexans’ own cable-laying vessel, C/S Nexans Skagerrak and protected on the seabed by trenching with Nexans’ Capjet system and rock dumping.

ABB will supply the high voltage direct current converter stations at the UK and Norwegian ends of the link. The contract covers the design, supply and commissioning of the converter stations using VSC technology.

The link is expected to be operational by 2021.

Image: Statnett