"That is an enormously positive signal for the further preparation of the electricity cable for the mutual exchange of energy from German wind and Norwegian hydro power," says TenneT board member Lex Hartman.
The 623km link aims to be operational by the end of 2018.
The direct current subsea cable will require a total investment of about €1.5bn-€2bn ($2bn-$2.7bn) and will run between Tonstad, Vest-Agder in Norway and Wilster, Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, the planners have previously said.
