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Case

Smart cities

Smart grid

NordBalt

11. August 2022

Solution provider

NKT

NKT connects a greener world with high-quality power cable technology and takes centre stage as the world moves towards green energy. NKT designs, manufactures, and installs low, medium and high voltage power cable solutions enabling sustainable energy transmission.

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Challenge

NordBalt is part of Lithuania’s long-term strategy to secure its energy independence by interconnecting the power grids of the Baltic countries with other grids. It also strengthens the power supply in southern Sweden. The interconnection enables the emerging electricity market of the Baltic countries to integrate with other electricity markets. This improves competition and provides alternative sources of electric power.

The sea crossing calls for a secure and environmentally friendly HVDC cable system installation for connecting the transmission systems. This is important since the cable route passes through former mined areas and explosives dumping grounds as well as a Natura 2000 nature protection area on the Lithuanian side.

Solution

We provided a HVDC cable interconnection for the transfer of power in either direction between the two power grids on each side of the Baltic Sea.

The cable system with submarine and underground cables offers several special features and compelling environmental benefits, including low losses, network stability, neutral electromagnetic fields, oilfree cables and minimal visibility. It is also designed for integration into a future pan-European grid.

 

Result

The cable system has a power rating of 300 kV. It comprises a 2×400 km long HVDC submarine cable across the Baltic Sea, a 2×40 km HVDC underground cable to Nybro on the Swedish side and a 2×13 km HVDC underground cable to Klaipeda on the Lithuanian side. At the time of installation, it was by far the world’s longest extruded power cable system.