EuroWire March 2015

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News
Corporate
March 2015 37
National Grid and Statnett, currently
developing a 1,400MW, ±525kV HVDC
electricity interconnector between
the UK and Norway, are reported to be
close to agreement on the €2billion
investment, which would create a 700km
undersea interconnector, the longest
anywhere in the world, between Blyth
in Northumberland, UK, and Kvilldal in
southern Norway.
It would allow the UK to import
hydroelectric power, and could be a major
factor as it attempts to meet its national
and EU renewables targets while boosting
its generating capacity.
Auke Lont, chief executive of Statnett,
said that he hoped that a firm decision to
build would be made early this year. “The
plan is to take a decision on investing
in the first quarter, with the hope that it
could be in operation by 2020,” he said.
The project still requires official
sanction from Ofgem, the UK’s
energy regulator. Ofgem launched a
consultation in early January aimed
at agreeing an acceptable ‘cap and
floor’ regulatory regime for the project,
an arrangement that would in effect
have UK taxpayers underwriting the
project – the government would offer
National Grid and Statnett a guaranteed
minimum return on the interconnector.
However, the government would be
able to claw back any excess profits if
returns from the trading of renewable
energy across the North Sea are higher
than expected.
Ed Davey, the UK energy secretary, has
already signalled his backing for the
scheme.
National Grid – UK
Website:
Statnett – Norway
Website:
UK/Norway energy plan
£300,000 investment in
Scottish armouring line
Aberdeen energy service firm Hydro
Group has invested £300,000 in an
advanced cable armouring line at its
Bridge of Don facility.
Hydro Group, which designs and
manufactures cables and connectors
for subsea and onshore use, said
its custom-designed single- and
multi-layered steel armoured cables will
withstand higher stresses in subsea and
defence operations.
Hydro managing director Doug
Whyte added: “The new machinery is
a significant addition to our current
capabilities, as well as enhancing the
quality of work we produce.
“The installation is the first of two
armouring lines, with the second, which
will have greater capacity in size and
overall lengths, being installed after
completion of our facility extension later
in the year.”
Hydro Group, comprising Hydro Bond
Engineering and Hydro Cable Systems,
employs about 100 people and was
founded by Mr Whyte as Hydro Bond
Engineering in 1982.
The group now serves the energy
and defence industries, with projects
including work on submarine platforms
and acoustic ranges for navies around the
world.
Hydro Group – UK
Website: