TenneT has, together with its partners Statnett and KfW, put NordLink, the Green Cable for the exchange of Norwegian hydropower and German wind energy into trial operation.

This is associated with the entry of the interconnector into the European electricity market.

“NordLink is a beacon project of the energy transition and an important step in the integration of renewable energies into the electricity market. Today, we have directly connected the electricity markets of Norway and Germany for the first time. The Green Cable is calculated to be able to supply around 3.6 million households with climate-neutral energy. Norwegian hydropower and German wind energy complement each other in this system in an optimal way.”

TenneT COO Tim Meyerjürgens.

“We are proud that our new interconnector is ready for energy exchange between our two countries. NordLink will help us achieve our climate goals and create value on both the Norwegian and German side of the cable.”

Gunnar G. Løvås, executive vice president at Statnett.

“Climate change requires a rethink that is as radical as it is smart – along the way, NordLink will be a cornerstone of the European energy transition. By exchanging electricity from wind and hydropower, we can achieve supply security and stable energy prices while increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix. We are proud to be part of this technologically unique project.”

Markus Scheer, member of the management board of KfW IPEX-Bank.

The electricity transmission capacity that will be put on the market is the result of the latest capacity calculation of the two transmission system operators TenneT and Statnett. The available capacity of the interconnector will then be used in the context of the European market coupling of the day ahead and intraday electricity trading markets.

The price difference between Norway and Germany will determine the direction of the electricity flow. It can be expected that in most cases the country exporting will be the one which just brings the lower price into the market.

“We presented transparently how we calculate capacity, how it is offered to the market and what can be expected from NordLink in its first years of operation. We have also created a better understanding of the challenges facing transmission system operators, countries and markets when major new interconnectors come on stream.”

Tim Meyerjürgens.

Once the trial operation phase is completed, during which NordLink will go through the complex operational requirements, the Green Cable is expected to be fully tested and completed in spring 2021.