NKT signs large AC onshore order with Belgium's TSO to support grid upgrades

As electricity supply and demand increases across Europe, the underlying grid needs significant upgrades and modernisation to keep up. According to the IEA, around 40 percent of Europe's grid is over 40 years old, which is just ten years short of its typical lifespan.

In Belgium, electricity consumption is expected to rise by 50% by 2032, while renewable energy sources are adding more power to the system. In 2023, Belgium generated a record-breaking 21.5 TWh (a 23% increase compared with 2022) from wind and solar generation, making up 28% of the country's electricity mix.

As part of Elia Transmission Belgium's (ETB) Federal Development Plan for 2024-2034 to strengthen Belgium's transmission grid, NKT will supply 545km of high-voltage power cables. The order has been received under an existing framework agreement between NKT and ETB and is adding to an order of 72km of 380kV AC onshore power cables recently awarded under the same agreement.

"Electricity grids are the backbone of modern society, so upgrading and modernising them to support future demand and loads is vital. We are proud of our long-term relationship with Elia Transmission Belgium to support their efforts to upgrade the Belgian grid. This is one of the largest orders in the segment 70 kV and 150 kV AC onshore NKT has ever received and shows the importance of the lower high-voltage levels in the transmission grid, says Lukas Sidler, EVP, HV Solutions Cologne.

"With this order, we take an important step towards meeting our customers' demands. Each step that will be taken in the coming years will be crucial and enormous. The broad scope of this order is the best testimony to this. We are therefore delighted with our continued collaboration with NKT, a partner with whom we are used to working with and who have demonstrated unfailing reliability and expertise," says Frederic Dunon, CEO Elia Transmission Belgium.

The power cables will be produced at NKT's factories in Cologne, Germany, and Velke Meziříčí, Czech Republic. Delivery and installation are planned for 2025-2027.

Demand for medium- and high-voltage power cables is generally expected to continue to grow rapidly as transmission and distribution system operators upgrade and expands grids across Europe. To satisfy this growing demand, NKT is investing in additional production capacity and capabilities at its medium- and high-voltage factories in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Portugal and Czech Republic. The new capacity will be progressively operational from 2025-2027.

Key facts:

–         545 km of 70 kV, 110 kV, and 150 kV power cables
–         The power cables will be delivered throughout 2025-2027
–         ETB is Belgium's national TSO and a part of Elia Group
–         ETB operates the electricity transmission network in Belgium, managing the high-voltage transmission grid, which comprises close to 9,000 km of overhead lines and underground cables.

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Image source: Courtesy of NKT

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