Switzerland-based ABB has won nearly $900m of contracts for the NordLink project from a consortium formed by Statnett, TenneT and KfW for supplying on-shore high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations along with a cable system.

The link will extend over 623km. It will be the first-ever interconnection between the power grids of Norway and Germany.

Nordlink is expected to be operational from 2020.

Under the terms of the contract awarded by the consortium, ABB will design, engineer, supply, and commission two 525 kilovolt (kV), 1,400MW converter stations for the project.

The units will be equipped with ABB’s voltage sourced converter (VSC) technology, termed as HVDC Light. It will be set up near Tonstad in southern Norway, and near Wilster in northern Germany.

The 52 kV mass impregnated (MI) cable system will be designed, manufactured, and installed by ABB, and will comprise 154km of subsea and 54km of underground cable.

ABB will also be responsible for offering its services for the facility for five years.

The power transmission project is expected to support the integration of the European energy market, having a capacity to transmit around 1,400MW of power, which can suffice power requirements of 3.6 million homes in Germany.

ABB Power Systems president Claudio Facchin said: “The NordLink project once again demonstrates ABB’s commitment to the efficient use of renewable.

“We are bringing clean power to millions of people and supporting the energy policies of Germany and Norway.

“We pioneered HVDC technology and continue to develop new technologies that make projects like NordLink feasible.”

The link is likely to boost energy security in the European countries and will support renewable energy integration.

ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer said: “The smart combination of renewable power generation, e.g. solar and wind in Germany and hydro-electric in Norway, demonstrates that we can technologically enable a sustainable green energy policy across Europe.”