NorthConnect to seek permission to lay UK-Norway interconnector

NorthConnect will apply for permission to lay a power interconnector between Great Britain and Norway, to enter service before 2020, Vattenfall said in a statement.

The NorthConnect project, owned by Vattenfall, E-CO Energi, Agder Energi, Lyse and SSE Interconnector Ltd, aims to build a 570km, 1400MW interconnector cable between Great Britain and Norway. A landing point near Peterhead in northeast Scotland has been identified while a landing in Norway is due to be assessed shortly.

“When in operation, the interconnector will be the first to connect Scotland’s electricity network directly to that of a mainland European country. The ambition is to have NorthConnect in operation before 2020,” the statement said.

“An interconnector will contribute to security of supply in both regions and combine intermittent renewable capacities,” said Harald von Heyden, Head of Asset Optimisation and Trading at Vattenfall.