NKT has entered a long-term framework agreement with Dutch distribution system operator Enexis Netbeheer to supply medium voltage (MV) power cables as part of a major grid expansion project. The agreement, aimed at supporting the growing demand for renewable energy, will see NKT provide cables over the next eight years to help modernize the regional power grid in the Netherlands.
Enexis Netbeheer plans to install several thousand kilometers of underground cables across the provinces of Groningen, Drenthe, Overijssel, Brabant, and Limburg to accommodate increasing volumes of renewable energy. The framework will supply 600 kilometers of MV power cables per year starting from mid-2025, with an option to extend the agreement by four years.
“We are delighted that NKT will be a supplier for our expansion operation over the coming years,” said Enexis CEO Rutger van der Leeuw. “We want to guarantee supply security of the requisite cables on par with increasing volumes, which is why we are scaling up the number of power cable suppliers. For the Enexis service area alone, we need a total power cable length that would take us around the world twice. We are really talking about a staggering amount of cable. We look forward to our future collaboration.”
Carlos Fernandez, Executive Vice President of Applications at NKT, shared his excitement about the partnership. “We are proud to be a key supplier. We have a long history with Enexis and have supplied medium-voltage cables to many projects over the years. We look forward to strengthening our relationship even further with this framework agreement supporting their efforts to upgrade the Dutch electricity grid as well as connect more renewables projects.”
The majority of the MV power cables will be produced at NKT's factory in Asnaes, Denmark, which is being expanded as part of NKT's investment across its three MV cable factories.
In 2023, 48% of the Netherlands' electricity came from renewable sources such as solar, wind, and water. Electricity from wind energy increased by 35%, while solar energy saw a 24% rise, further highlighting the need for grid upgrades to support the growing share of renewables in the energy mix.
