SSE RENEWABLES: Nkt Produces World’s First Hvdc Power Cables Using Low-carbon Copper

NKT will produce cables for Dogger Bank C, the third phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, using low-carbon copper sourced from a mine in Sweden. The initiative will reduce the carbon footprint of the HVDC power cables by more than 35 % and is part of NKT’s ambition to become a net-zero emissions company no later than 2050.

NKT, its supplier and customers have entered into an agreement to use low-carbon copper for the 320 kV HVDC cables, which NKT is delivering to the Dogger Bank C in the North Sea, that is being developed by SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni Plenitude. The use of low-carbon copper will reduce the carbon footprint of the HV power cable system by more than 23,000 metric tons of CO2e,1 which is equivalent to 7,700 average family cars driven for one year.2

Claes Westerlind, Executive Vice President, Head of HV Solutions Karlskrona of NKT said:

“This pioneering cooperation with our customers and suppliers enables us to produce even more sustainable cables using low-carbon copper. I am pleased that we have set up this game changing collaboration, so we can continue contributing to connecting a greener world. This will ultimately help us meet our sustainability commitments, including becoming a net-zero emission company.”

The low-carbon copper cathodes come from the Boliden Aitik mine in Northern Sweden. Vehicles in the mine and the smelters are powered by fossil free electricity and the delivery of copper cathodes is done domestically by electric train from the mine to Elcowire in Helsingborg, which in efficient processes produces the low-carbon copper wires.

The use of low-carbon copper will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of NKTs power cables as it comes with less than half the carbon footprint of standard copper. The reduction has been third party validated. The manufacturing of the high voltage cables takes place in NKTs factory in Karlskrona in Sweden, which is running on 100 % renewable electricity. Installation of the cable system at Dogger Bank C in the North Sea will be done by NKT Victoria, one of the world’s most advanced and fuel-efficient cable laying vessels.

When in full operation, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world, capable of supplying green power equivalent to the consumption of 6 million UK homes.

Simon Bailey, Commercial Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm at SSE Renewables said:

“Along with our partners Equinor and Eni Plenitude, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible throughout the construction process. It is fantastic that our HVDC export cable supplier, NKT, will use a low-carbon copper, which will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the construction works on Dogger Bank. The HVDC cable is a crucial component, as it will connect power generated from the windfarm to the national grid.”

NKT has been a key partner for a number of years in the European transformation towards renewable energy, particularly within offshore wind and interconnectors. NKT continues to strengthen its sustainability efforts – including commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative as the first major power cable manufacturer and as a founding member of the Powering Net Zero Pact with fellow energy sector companies.

1Low-carbon copper from Boliden has a carbon footprint of less than 1,5 kg CO2eq/kg of copper (validated by third party Intertek Certification GmbH), which is significantly lower than the European average of 4,1 kg CO2eq/kg of copper.

2Gasoline-powered family cars. Source: EPA-United States Environmental Protection Agency.