The 580 kilometer-long NorNed link is the longest submarine high-voltage cable in the world.
In December 2004, ABB received the go-ahead to proceed with the NorNed project, an HVDC transmission link connecting the power grids of Norway and The Netherlands. The ABB scope was the two converter stations and the cable system for the major portion of the cable route.
Eemshaven converter station, the Netherlands.
Click for larger image. | 
Feda converter station, Norway. Click for larger image. |
| The contract was originally awarded to ABB in 2000, but restructuring in the power utility sector caused the project to be delayed. The contract is with the two state-owned power grid companies TenneT in The Netherlands and in Statnett, Norway. The interconnection, which is based on market coupling, has lead to power trading between the two countries and increase the reliability of electricity supply. | 
Valve hall at Eemshaven station. Click for larger image. |
To reduce cable costs and cable losses NorNed has two fully insulated DC cables in spite that it is a monopolar link. This makes the current small and the cable losses low but requires a higher converter voltage (see simplified single line diagram).
| Main data |  |
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| Commissioning year: | 2008 |
| Power rating: | 700 MW |
| No of poles: | 1 ( midpoint grounded in Eemshaven) |
| AC Voltage: | 300 kV (Feda), 400 kV (Eemshaven) |
| DC Voltage: | ± 450 kV |
| Length of DC submarine cables: | 2 x 580 km |
| Main reason for choosing HVDC: | Length of sea cable and non-synchronous AC systems |
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