Norway to test UK’s first full-capacity power link from August 17
OSLO, Aug. 9 (Reuters) – Norwegian power transmission system operator Statnett on Monday announced that it would extend testing of its first power interconnector with Britain, North Sea Link (NSL), to a full capacity of up to 1,450 megawatts (MW) as of August 9. 17.
The first tests of the cable up to 700 MW began in June.
The second commissioning period is expected to start from Aug. 17 and end in late September, with full capacity testing in both directions, Statnett said in a market post.
The 720-kilometer North Sea Link connects Kvildall in southern Norway to Blyth in northern England and is owned by Statnett and National Grid. The interconnector can provide enough electricity for around 1.4 million UK homes.
Britain aims to take advantage of Norway‘s vast hydropower resources to help balance intermittent wind power, while Norway can import surplus cheap renewable energy to save water in its hydropower reservoirs. Electricity in Norway is almost entirely based on hydropower.
Earlier this year, Norway opened its first direct electricity link to Germany, the 1,400 MW NordLink interconnector.
The Nordic country is already connected to the Netherlands via the 700 megawatt (MW) NorNed submarine interconnector and to Denmark via the Skagerrak connection.
The new cables have been criticized for potentially leading to higher electricity prices in Norway, as they export to premium markets. (Report by Nora Buli, edited by Terje Solsvik)