Licence granted for sub-sea electricity interconnector

Norway has granted a licence for the installation of a sub-sea electricity interconnector with the UK.

The project, known as NSN, should provide significant mutual benefits, improving energy security and bringing Norwegian renewable energy to Britain.

According to Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey, the new cable will allow the UK to import enough clean green hydroelectricity to power up to four million homes, backing up the UK’s existing wind and solar power capacity.

Subject to progress with regulator Ofgem and the developers (Statnett and National Grid), the project expects to reach final investment decision in spring 2015.

NSN is one of five schemes being assessed under Ofgem’s new regime for interconnector investment.