NKT secures HV DC cable contract to connect Bornholm Energy Island

NKT has entered into a contract with Danish transmission system operator Energinet to provide a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cable system for an offshore interconnector, which will link the Bornholm Energy Island to the power grid in Zealand, Denmark.

The contract, valued at approximately €650m ($758m), includes the design, manufacturing, and installation of a cable system. This system will cover a 200km offshore route and a 16.8km onshore route.

The Bornholm Energy Island, located in the Baltic Sea, is a renewable energy project intended to harness up to 3.8GW of offshore wind energy from future wind farms.

This energy will be transmitted to both Germany and Denmark through two HV DC offshore interconnector systems.

With this agreement, NKT will enable the connection of the energy island to the power grids of Denmark and Germany.

This follows a previous contract awarded to NKT in 2023 under a framework agreement with German transmission system operator 50Hertz for the connection to the German grid.

NKT will manufacture the power cables at its facility in Karlskrona, Sweden, which itself runs on renewable power.

The installation of the offshore cables will be carried out by the under-construction vessel, NKT Eleonora, expected to start operations in 2027.

The contract is not expected to alter NKT’s financial outlook for 2025.

NKT president and CEO Claes Westerlind said: “We are delighted and proud to continue the long-term collaboration with Energinet on this innovative and ambitious project strengthening the interconnection between Denmark and Germany.

“Bornholm Energy Island is a key project for Europe to enhance energy security and the exchange of renewable energy.

“With this award, we reaffirm our strong commitment to building the sustainable and secure energy infrastructure Europe needs, and demonstrate our proven high-voltage power cable capabilities.”