System operators TenneT and Statnett have put the 1400MW NordLink interconnector between Germany and Norway into trial operations.
The 623km line, dubbed the green cable due to the level of renewables that will be traded across it, is now expected to come fully online in the spring of next year.
NordLink, which will facilitate the export of hydropower from Norway and wind from Germany and is also being backed by KfW, can supply 3.6 million households with climate-neutral energy.
“NordLink is a beacon project of the energy transition and an important step in the integration of renewable energies into the electricity market,” said TenneT chief operations officer Tim Meyerjürgens.
“Today, we have directly connected the electricity markets of Norway and Germany for the first time.
“Norwegian hydropower and German wind energy complement each other in this system in an optimal way.”
“We are proud that our new interconnector is ready for energy exchange between our two countries,” added Statnett executive vice president Gunnar G. Løvås.
“NordLink will help us achieve our climate goals and create value on both the Norwegian and German side of the cable.”