T&D

Cable Deal Supports French Transmission System Upgrades and Expansion

NKT will deliver high-voltage power cable solutions to RTE to enable its long-term strategy to renew, adapt, and develop France’s electricity grid. As one of Europe’s largest exporters of electricity, the upgrade of France’s grid is essential for the power supply of the continent.

RTE, France’s transmission system operator (TSO), has awarded NKT the extension of two framework agreements for the supply of high-voltage power cable solutions (Figure 1) from 2026 to 2028. The framework agreements are for onshore power cables, accessories, and installation at voltage levels of 90 kV, 225 kV, and 400 kV. The agreements include firm commitments of about 1,400 kilometers (km) of power cable solutions, which includes approximately 900 km of 90-kV power cables and approximately 500 km of 225-kV power cables. Project-based orders are expected for future 400-kV power cables. The deliveries will be supported from NKT’s sites in Esposende, Portugal, which became part of the company in June 2024 when NKT acquired SolidAl, and Cologne, Germany.

1. NKT designs, manufactures, and installs low-, medium-, and high-voltage power cable solutions, enabling sustainable energy transmission. The company is headquartered in Denmark and employs about 6,000 people. Courtesy: NKT

“We are excited to continue the long-term collaboration with RTE as they modernize and strengthen France’s power grid and support the transition to renewable energy. We have been working with RTE since 2011 and in 2023 we were awarded the Biscay Gulf Interconnector between Spain and France. With the acquisition of SolidAl, we improved our geographic reach in new and existing markets. We look forward to building upon this success by supporting RTE and France’s grid upgrades in the coming years,” Claes Westerlind, president and CEO at NKT, said in a statement.

With one of the largest shares of nuclear electricity in the world, and a growing amount of renewable energy coming online, France’s grid has a very low carbon intensity. At the same time, France is one of Europe’s largest exporters of electricity, leading the charge toward a more interconnected electricity market. As a key partner to England, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, RTE plays a central role in the power grid of Europe. The collaboration enables NKT to be part of RTE’s strategy of adapting to climate change, renewing and developing the grid to accommodate more electricity generated from renewable energy, and support France’s transition to net-zero.

“The electrification, decarbonization, and reindustrialization of France are synonymous with major investments in the electricity transmission network over the coming years. This partnership with NKT not only allows us to secure the equipment needed to support the energy transition, but also shows the impact that investing on moving away from fossil energies can have on the French and European manufacturing industry, driving economic growth and employment,” said Xavier Piechaczyk, president of the managing board at RTE.

With the growing demand for medium- and high-voltage power cables across Europe, NKT is expanding its capacity across multiple sites. This includes investments of €50 million in Esposende and €100 million in Cologne. The additional capacity will support delivery of power cables to RTE, as well as other TSOs and distribution system operators (DSOs) across Europe, ensuring a more modern, efficient, and interconnected power grid.

—POWER edited this content, which was contributed by NKT’s communications department.