What is NorthConnect?

The NorthConnect interconnector will have a capacity of 1400MW, will be approximately 665km in length and is intended to facilitate the trading of energy with Norway, UK, and continental Europe. The interconnector will be routed from Simadalen in Norway, across the North Sea to Long Haven Bay, just south of Peterhead in Scotland.

The HVDC subsea cables are used to lower transmission losses along the link. The National Grid systems use Alternating Current (AC) technology. Interconnector converter stations are therefore required at each end of the HVDC cable to convert the DC (Direct Current) electricity to AC and vice versa to allow connection to substations on the National Grid.