For reliable electricity supplies
Germany and Norway can now supply one another with electric power directly, thanks to the new NordLink interconnector. Chancellor Angela Merkel and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg officially opened the cable that links their two countries on Thursday.
2 min reading time
Chancellor Angela Merkel with her hands on the button. A symbolic press of the button opened the new electricity link between Germany and Norway.
Photo: Bundesregierung/Kugler
Thanks to the new NordLink interconnector, Germany and Norway can supply one another directly with electric power. On Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel and Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg officially inaugurated the power cable between the two countries.
Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the electrical interconnector NordLink, which she described as an important component in the energy shift – the move to put the country’s energy mix on a more sustainable footing. “NordLink, which is over 600 km long, is helping ensure a sustainable energy supply.” Not only in Germany and Norway, but indirectly throughout Europe. “In the final analysis, we need to think of power supply in European dimensions,” said Angela Merkel.
The European Green Deal and European climate targets demand a radical transformation of the energy sector. The Chancellor pointed out that this transformation will only be possible if we have a synchronised grid, and that there is still a lot to be done inside Germany in this regard.
A connection provides reliability
The aim of the NordLink interconnector is to help ensure reliable and secure supplies on both electricity markets. When less power is generated in Germany, Norwegian hydropower can help make good the shortfall to meet demand. Conversely, the direct link to Norway offers the Scandinavian country the chance to tap into German wind power when demand is high, thus saving hydropower.
“NordLink is a huge success for energy cooperation between our two countries,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the official inauguration.
For barrier-free access: The diagram on the European energy shift is entitled “Green light for the green cable – NordLink”. It shows a map on which Germany and Norway can be clearly seen and other countries are shown only as unclear shadows. The converter stations at Wilster in Germany and Tonstad in Norway are marked and are connected with a green dotted line. To the left of the line the text reads: “Norwegian hydropower for German wind power. 623 km long, 516 km as subsea cable. Can supply 3.6 million German households with green power. For reliable and affordable energy supply.” The German Federal Government holds the copyright.
Photo: Bundesregierung
Making better use of wind power
The advantages for Norway are also advantages for Germany’s energy shift. Surplus wind power capacity can thus be used. Wind turbines will no longer have to be closed down when they could be delivering green power, as is currently the case, primarily because the electricity transmission grid has not yet been adequately developed.
The electrical interconnector thus plays a major part in driving forward the energy shift. And in its way, it will help stabilise the electricity grid and the price of electricity. NordLink, a project born of shared interests in Europe, should also be seen as a model at European level.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg together inaugurated the new NordLink electrical interconnector.
Photo: Bundesregierung/ Kugler
The NordLink interconnector is the first direct current transmission system between Germany and Norway. In Norway it is connected up to the existing national transmission grid in Tonstad, and in Germany in Wilster. It is thus 623 kilometres long in total. The transmission system uses high-voltage direct current technology, with a maximum capacity of 1,400 MW.
The NordLink project was realised by a consortium in which the Norwegian transmission system operator Statnett and the German company DC Nordseekabel GmbH & Co.KG are equal partners. The transmission system operator TenneT and the federally-owned Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) each own 50 percent of DC Nordseekabel.