Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) believed Statnett had violated energy legislation in relation to operation and preparedness around the cable connection, and imposed a NOK 30 million penalty fee on Statnett. Statnett strongly disagreed that the firm had violated any requirements set out in energy legislation, and in a complaint Statnett argued that there was no basis for claiming that the company had acted willfully or negligently.

The Ministry Petroleum and Energy (MPE) decided in October 2014 that there was no legal basis to impose Statnett a penalty fee for mistakes in cable connections in 2008 or rectification of these. Statnett was thus successful in its complaint and MPE overturned NVE's decision on penalty fee.

Haavind, represented by partners Johan Fr. Remmen and Aksel Tannum, assisted Statnett in the appeal for MPE.