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NorNed – six of the eight cable lengths successfully installed

The installation of the NorNed cable that will connect the Dutch and the Norwegian power grids is approaching completion. In June the sixth of in total eight cable lengths was installed. All parts of the project are now approaching completion. 

The cable laid in June was the final section of a specially made two-core cable, developed for this project to be laid in shallow waters outside Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands. The section was jointed with a cable length laid earlier this year and weighed 6300 tons with a length of 73,5 km. 

It took the crew onboard CS Nexans Skagerrak 30 minutes to recover the previously laid cable on the seabed, utilising satellite navigation and an ROV (remotely operated vehicle), Statnett’s company representative Thor Weibye comments. He explains that all parts of the operation, including search, jointing and laying, progressed smoothly, facilitated by favourable weather conditions. Heavy activities, fishing activities in particular, in the area along the cable route make surveillance necessary. Therefore, guard vessels will look after the cable until it is being covered. 

So far about 590 km of the NorNed cable connection is in position between the coast of Norway and the Netherlands. Two cable lengths of together 300 km will be laid in August and September. 

The installation works in the new converter stations at each end of the connection are also well advanced and according to schedule. Most equipment is now transported to the sites and mounting ongoing.

Facts

The NorNed project was launched 1 January 2005. It is projected and owned by the transmission system operators (TSOs) Statnett in Norway and TenneT in the Netherlands. Commissioning is planned for 4Q 2007 and the official opening for the summer of 2008. Estimated cost is NOK 4,6 billion. 

The cable is being laid between the Netherlands and Norway to contribute to sustained sufficient and safe power supply in both countries. 
• Total length of connection: 580 km 
• Total length of cables 890 km, of which 616 km is single-core cable and 270 km is two-core cable. In addition, land cables are installed 
• Total weight: 47,000 tons 
• Capacity: 700 MW 
• Voltage: 450 kV