Abstract
In this paper we compare the impact on the Norwegian power system of four different connection alternatives of an offshore wind farm at Sørlige Nordsjø II. The cases examine a radial connection to Denmark, a radial connection to Norway, a symmetric hybrid connection and an asymmetric hybrid connection where the capacity to Norway is higher than the one to Denmark. The results show that while a symmetric hybrid connection gives the highest increase in social economic welfare, there is significant distribution effects such that different stakeholders have rather different economic incentives within the selected alternatives. Furthermore, the analyses indicate that the available flexibility of hydropower becomes more valuable in connection with balancing offshore wind power production.