The Story of Baltic Cable
Since being commissioned over 30 years ago, the Baltic Cable has lived through more than one reshaping of the energy market. Starting as a purely commercial business initiative in the 1990s, Baltic Cable has increasingly gained strategic significance for the common European electricity market.
Milestones
1994
First transmission of electricity
On October 13, 1994 at 13:02, only two years after being granted concession, Baltic Cable transmits the first electricity between Germany and Sweden. After trial operations in December, the link transitioned to full commercial service.
The ownership of Baltic Cable was divided between Sydkraft, Vattenfall and PreussenElektra (E.ON).
2004
Strengthened connection
Connection strengthened in Germany with 400 kV overhead line and SVC, enabling 600 MW power transmission.
2010
Market coupled
In April 2010, Baltic Cable became part of the market coupling. Market coupling is the collective term for all the systems and processes that are needed to facilitate cross-border trading in the integrated European market. Thru coordinated actions of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and National Electricity Market Operators (NEMOs) and market participants, market coupling provides matching of supply and demand across member states and allocates grid capacity in a way that maximizes economic surplus.
2011
100 % owned by Statkraft
Norwegian utility company Statkraft entered into an agreement with E.ON Sverige to acquire all of the shares in Baltic Cable AB from 1 January 2011. As a result, Baltic Cable became wholly owned by Statkraft.
2019
Certified as Transmission System Operator
On 19 November 2019, by decision of the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Baltic Cable AB was certified as TSO according to the provisions of the ITO-unbundling pursuant to section 10 et. seq. German Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz).
2020
The 70 percent rule in force
According to Art. 16 (8) of the Electricity Regulation (EU) 2019/943, TSOs are required to ensure that at least 70% of the transmission capacity is offered for cross-zonal trade, while respecting operational security limits. This responsibility is shared between three TSOs. Being a TSO that is only operating the HVDC interconnector, Baltic Cable itself has a technical availability of >95% and thus no structural congestion hindering the fulfilment of the 70% rule.
2021
Part of CCR Hansa
The Baltic Cable and the Germany/Luxembourg - Sweden 4 bidding zone border were included in the Capacity Calculation Region (CCR) Hansa. CCRs are defined geographic areas within the EU where TSOs coordinate capacity calculation and related processes. As a result, Baltic Cable is involved in the corresponding regional activities and their continued development.
2022
Full member of SDAC
Baltic Cable AB became a full participating member of the Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC) cooperation, joining 31 other TSOs and 17 NEMOs. Baltic Cable’s capacity had been already allocated using implicit processes since 2010, and becoming a full member allowed Baltic Cable to participate in the further development of the project.
2024
30-year jubilee and new direction
We celebrated 30 years of operations as an interconnector between Germany and Sweden. Our company grew and we added several new experts to our team. Baltic Cable AB entered a new phase with the ambition to further invest in the development of the European electricity grid and continue to support the European electricity market, for many years to come.
2025
Agreement to invest in Greenlink
Baltic Cable AB and Equitix signed an agreement with Partners Group to acquire Greenlink Interconnector (Greenlink). Greenlink connects Ireland with Great Britain and, in extension, with the wider European transmission network, further integrating the European electricity markets and facilitating decarbonization.