Haugsvær - Lindås Submarine Cable
OperationalCrossingNO420 kV7.7 km2025
Basic information
7 fieldsAlso Known As
Fensfjorden 420 kV cable · Fensfjorden-kabelen · Fensfjorden 420 kV sjøkabel · Sjøkabel Haugsvær-Lindås · Fensfjordkabelen · Ny 300 (420) kV sjøkabel Haugsvær - Lindås · Ny 420 kV sjøkabel over Fensfjorden
Status
operational
Owners
Project Company
Type
crossing
Expected Life
40 years
Website
Supply Chain (2)
Project Timeline (15)
2025Offshore Site Preparation
Statnett’s 2025 article on the Fensfjord cable notes that challenging seabed conditions required reinforcement of the seabed with concrete mattresses and plastic mats ahead of cable installation. Nexans’ 29 Aug 2025 news release adds that the seabed was strengthened with 180 concrete mattresses and mats in advance of the summer 2025 cable-laying campaign. Together these sources confirm that the planned offshore site-preparation campaign (mattress installation) was carried out as part of the 2025 construction season, even though they do not give an exact date, so this event is confirmed in 2025.
28 Nov 2025Commercial Operations Full Power
Statnett put the new 420 kV Fensfjorden submarine cable link between Haugsvær and Lindås into operation on Friday 28 November 2025, doubling transmission capacity over the fjord and strengthening power transfer in the Bergensområdet/Haugalandet region.
29 Aug 2025Cable Installation Complete
By 29 August 2025, Nexans reported that it had delivered and installed a 7.7 km long 420 kV subsea cable across Fensfjorden for Statnett, at depths down to about 530 m, completing the offshore cable installation that doubles transmission capacity between Haugsvær and Lindås and strengthens power supply in the region.
~Jan 2025Cable Installation Start
Statnett’s May 2025 project update says cable installation over Fensfjorden is planned for June and July 2025. A later Statnett news article "Strømkabel på 500 meters dyp dobler kapasiteten" reports that the cables were laid "i sommer" (during the summer) and describes the installation in detail. Nexans’ 29 Aug 2025 release confirms the new 7.7 km cables were installed over the summer of 2025. These sources clearly show that offshore cable installation started and proceeded during summer 2025, though they do not state the exact start date, so the start is confirmed in 2025 on an approximate basis.
12 May 2025Onshore Construction Start
Statnett’s project news item "Arbeidet med Fensfjordkabelen starter i midten av mai," published 7 May 2025, states that construction work will start on 12 May at Mongstad and that work is being resumed after a 2024 stoppage. Later Statnett and Nexans updates describe ongoing and completed land works in 2025, confirming that onshore construction did in fact resume as planned on 12 May 2025.
7 May 2025Cable Supplier Selected
Statnett confirmed that Nexans has been contracted to deliver the 7.7 km 420 kV subsea cables over Fensfjorden between Haugsvær and Lindås, as well as to carry out the installation works and subsequent voltage testing of the Fensfjordkabelen interconnector. The contract covers supply, laying and testing of the deep-water AC submarine cables that will double transmission capacity across Fensfjorden.
7 May 2025Procurement Other
Statnett entered into an agreement with local contractor Nordhordland Grunn og Betong (NGB) for onshore construction works on both shores of Fensfjorden for the Haugsvær–Lindås subsea cable project, including access roads and laydown areas at the landfalls. The civil works contract covers completion of land-based preparations ahead of cable installation and later reinstatement of the sites.
Dec 2024Other Permit Awarded
Authority: Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) · Licence: Decision on extension of deadline for idriftsettelse under the anleggskonsesjon for Fensfjordkabelen (ny 420 kV sjøkabel Haugsvær–Lindås)
In December 2024 NVE issued a decision to extend the deadline for commissioning (idriftsettelse) of Statnett’s Fensfjorden submarine cable project between Iledalsvågen and Mongstad, adjusting the licence conditions to reflect the updated construction schedule.
15 Nov 2023Onshore Construction Start
By mid-November 2023, Statnett had started construction works related to establishing two new submarine power cables over Fensfjorden between Haugsvær and Lindås, issuing a letter on the commencement of these onshore works at the land facilities (muffe stations) on each side of the fjord.
28 Nov 2022Fid Financial Close
Statnett’s board decided to start construction of the Fensfjordkabelen (new 300/420 kV subsea cables between Haugsvær and Lindås), giving the green light for building the subsea cable installations, two new joints (muffers) and fencing around the joint stations on each side of Fensfjorden. This decision effectively constitutes the investment decision enabling the project to proceed into construction.