Statnett throttles the power cable between Norway and Great Britain – news Vestland

In a press release, Statnett writes that they are reducing the capacity of the English cable from 1,400 megawatts to 1,100 megawatts. Delimitations on the English side have over time led to the fixed capacity being greater from Norway to Great Britain than the other way around. – In order to realize the benefits of the various connections, it is important that there is a good balance in the capacity for import and export. To ensure this, we now set capacity to the same level as our partners on the British side, explains CEO Hilde Tonne. Norway has a total of 17 exchange cables for electricity abroad, with a total transmission capacity of 8,500 MW. Among these cables, none has been more controversial than the so-called “English cable”. Exactly one year ago there were reactions when “North Sea Link” exported for the first time at full capacity (1,400 MW). Others have objected that the longest submarine power cable in the world will serve Norwegian interests in the long term. By 2030, it is expected that the UK will become a net exporter of electricity for around half the year (53 per cent). This is shown by a new report which is mentioned in The Times. Statnett is reducing capacity from 1,400 megawatts to 1,100 megawatts. – In order to realize the benefits of the various connections, it is important that there is a good balance in the capacity for import and export, says Hilde Tonne. Photo: Julia Naglestad The government says no to a cable between Norway and Scotland The decision to throttle the “North Sea Link” takes place on the same day that the government finally says no to a similar cable between Norway and Scotland. The decision was expected after Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum announced as early as 2021 that he wanted to “bury” the planned cable between Norway (Eidfjord in Hardanger) and Scotland (NorthConnect). On 6 February, the government announced that it was resuming processing of the NorthConnect application. 29 working days later, the verdict is clear: Norway needs the output capacity for hydropower, and the application has been rejected. – After an overall assessment, the ministry has come to the conclusion that there is no basis for granting a license to the project as it stands today, says a message from the OED. – A party political decision more than an energy policy decision Energinettstaden Europower makes a point of the fact that it is Ola Borten Moe (Sp), and not Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland, who is fronting the news. “The fact that Borten Moe is quoted in the press release indicates that this is more a party political decision than an energy policy decision,” writes newspaper editor Haakon Barstad. Lars Haltbrekken is spokesperson for energy policy in SV. – It is good that the government is finally closing this case. The North Connect cable would make Norwegian electricity prices even more expensive, when what we need is to secure predictable prices for people, he says. Confederation leader in Industri Energi, Frode Alfheim, is happy about the latest turnaround. – Finally! It was high time that the tenacious cable was sent to the grave for good. We have been fighting against this headless cable project for a number of years. In Alfheim’s opinion, the next step in the fight against more foreign cables must be to say no to renewing the two cables to Denmark, which will soon reach their technical lifespan: – We expect the government to say clearly to Statnett that it is not relevant to renew these the cables. The energy website Europower makes a point that it is Ola Borten Moe (Sp), and not Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland, who is fronting the news. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB



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