The North Sea Link power interconnector, a 1,400 MW submarine power cable between Kvilldal, near Stavanger (Norway) and Blyth in Northumberland (United Kingdom) has entered commercial operations. The project will start with a capacity of 700 MW and will gradually increase to the line’s full capacity over a three-month period. The 450-mile (725 km) line is owned by Statnett and National Grid and required an investment of €1.6bn. Construction started in 2018.
In September 2021, the two countries signed an agreement on cross-border trade in electricity and cooperation on electricity interconnection. The agreement will contribute to a predictable framework for cross border trade in electricity between the two countries after the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU and covers cooperation on the development of offshore wind and related infrastructure in the North Sea. The United Kingdom and Norway concluded a free trade agreement in June 2021.