NKT completes specially engineered power cable delivery for river crossing in Germany

As part of the SuedLink project in Germany, NKT has delivered extra-long HVDC cable sections to TSO TenneT Germany for installation in the tunnel beneath the River Elbe. The successful delivery required an extraordinary logistics setup. 

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the ongoing execution of the German power cables project SuedLink, NKT has reached a milestone for the crossing of the River Elbe, one of Germany's largest rivers. The company has successfully manufactured and delivered specially engineered 525 kV HVDC extra-long power cable sections for installation in the tunnel beneath the river. NKT developed the specialised solution specifically for this critical section of the route, representing one of the most demanding cable deliveries within the northern section of the SuedLink project executed by transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT Germany. 

- The crossing of the River Elbe is a crucial part of the SuedLink transmission line, and it has been satisfying to follow the execution of this complex logistics operation in preparation for the installation under the river, says Gunnar Spengel, Program Director for SuedLink at TenneT Germany.

Each of the power cable sections designed and manufactured by NKT for the crossing exceeds five kilometres in continuous length. The extraordinary length is well beyond that of typical onshore power cable sections and required a specialised logistical setup. 

Specially designed logistics

Due to the extra-long sections, the power cables could not be transported on conventional cable drums. NKT therefore implemented a dedicated logistics setup to transport the cable sections from its high-voltage factory in Karlskrona, Sweden, to the installation site in Germany. The operation combined cable baskets, marine transport, floating-crane lifts and specialised heavy-load transport on German roads. 

- The Elbe crossing is a project within the project. With the crossing requiring cable sections of more than five kilometres in continuous lengths, we have demonstrated our ability to combine advanced cable design, manufacturing expertise and project execution to address a highly demanding technical challenge. By eliminating cable joints inside the tunnel, we are enhancing the long-term reliability of this critical section of SuedLink, says Thies Helbig, Head of Project Execution Transmission in NKT. 

The successful delivery of the power cables supports the next phase of the Elbe crossing, where the cables will be pulled through the tunnel using specialised installation equipment before being connected to the wider SuedLink power cable system. 

About NKT

NKT connects a greener world with high-quality power cable technology and plays a key role as the world moves towards clean energy. NKT designs, manufactures and installs low-, medium- and high-voltage power cable solutions enabling reliable transmission of energy. Since 1891, NKT has innovated the power cable technology, building the infrastructure from the first light bulbs to the megawatts created by renewable energy today. NKT is headquartered in Denmark, operates from more than 30 locations worldwide, and employs 6,500 people globally. NKT is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and realised a revenue of EUR 3.6 billion in 2025. NKT - We connect a greener world. www.NKT.com.

Contact

Pelle Fischer-Nielsen, External Communications Lead
+45 2223 5870 / pelle.fischer-nielsen@nkt.com 

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