NKT has started production of the 525kV underground cable on behalf of transmission system operators TenneT and TransnetBW for part of the 700km SuedLink in Germany.
NKT is responsible for the cables connecting Brunsbuttel to Leingarten in Baden-Württemberg and the Italian cable manufacturer Prysmian for the cables connecting Wilster to Bergrheinfeld in Bavaria.
In total, about 2500km of cable will be required for the planned 4GW transmission link between Schleswig-Holstein, Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
The NKT cables are being produced at its Karlskrona plant in Sweden and will be transported to Germany by ship.
TenneT chief operating officer Tim Meyerjurgens said: “With the start of production, SuedLink is taking a big step towards the start of construction. We are happy about the news from Karlskrona – things are progressing.”
TransnetBW chief executive Werner Gotz said: “The award to the two experienced producers was a good decision. The fact that NKT is now starting production is a good signal for SuedLink and for the energy transition in Germany.”
The two TSOs have awarded the cable supplies for SuedLink in two batches for their respective areas of responsibility:
The total award volume for the SuedLink underground cables from TransnetBW and TenneT is around €2bn.
NKT project coordinator Thies Helbig said: “Our two high-voltage production sites in Karlskrona and Cologne are operated with 100 percent green electricity.
“In this way, we guarantee low CO2 emissions in the manufacture of the cable systems and the project logistics.”
In addition to manufacture and delivery, the cable manufacturers will also install the wires in the prepared trenches and crossings, including the assembly of connecting sleeves and terminations and the final high-voltage test of the cable system.
TenneT is responsible for the northern section of the route and the converters in Schleswig-Holstein and Bavaria.
TransnetBW is responsible for the southern section of the route and the converter in Baden-Wurttemberg.