North Sea Link wins praise in Brussels

European Commission vice president Maroš Šefčovič has praised the North Sea Link (NSL) interconnector between the UK and Norway for strengthening energy cooperation across the continent.

Speaking at an event in Brussels last night, Šefčovič said: “I have said many times that the Energy Union does not stop at the EU border. The commission is keen to help drive this ambitious project forward.”

National Grid executive director John Pettigrew said: “North Sea Link is a great example of what further interconnection can mean for the European energy market as well as our own individual countries.

“Interconnectors are one of those rare technologies that can help security of supply, enhance competition between markets and decarbonize the energy we use.”

Statnett chief executive Auke Lont said: "We are building the world's longest subsea power cable, which will facilitate the transition to a sustainable European energy system and help us get the most out of our renewable natural resources for many decades to come.”

Construction of the €2 billion project owned by National Grid and Statnett, started last year, creating the first direct link between the electricity systems of the two countries. The electricity will pass through high voltage subsea cables from Kvilldal in Norway to Blyth in the UK and is expected to increase security of supply and opportunities for shared use of renewable energy to help meet climate change targets.

The project has received a €31 million grant to support early stage engineering studies and will have a planned capacity of 1400MW. It is expected to be in operation by 2021.