NKT has commenced the installation of 518 km of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power cables for the SuedLink project in Germany, on behalf of transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT.
The 525 kV HVDC cables are a critical part of Germany's Energiewende strategy, facilitating the transmission of renewable energy from the northern regions, where it is generated, to the industrial areas in the South.
The SuedLink project is a central corridor in Germany's energy transition plan. The installation milestone is seen as a major step in realizing the long-term strategy.
NKT is delivering power cables and accessories for two sections, forming one of the full cable systems ordered by TenneT and Transnet BW. Additionally, a specially engineered solution will enable the cable to cross the Elbe River and a salt mine.
According to Tim Meyerjurgens, TenneT's Chief Operations Officer, with the initial 37 km of the 700 km route now under construction, the SuedLink project is becoming visible along its path. Once complete in 2028, SuedLink will connect wind farms and the NordLink interconnector, bringing hydropower from Norway to Germany.
