Dogger Bank C cables to use low-carbon copper
Posted on 21 September 2022
NKT will produce cables for the 1200MW Dogger Bank C offshore wind farm, off the UK, using low-carbon copper.
The copper will be sourced from a mine in Sweden and will help reduce the carbon footprint of the project’s 320kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) power cables by more than 35%.
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 fuel-free electricity and the delivery of copper cathodes is done domestically by electric train from the mine to Elcowire in Helsingborg, which produces the low-carbon copper wires.
The decision forms part of NKT’s ambition to become a net zero emissions company no later than 2050.
Dogger Bank C in the North Sea is being developed by SSE Renewables, Equinor and Eni Plenitude.
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 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.
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.”
