The interconnector is called the Nemo Link and when completed it will provide 1000 MW of electricity, enough to supply half a million homes. It will run for 140 kilometres between Richborough in Kent and Herdersbrug, near Zeebrugge, using a combination of undersea and underground cables. Electricity will be able to flow in either direction between the two countries.
“Better electricity links to our neighbours help to guarantee our energy security at the lowest possible cost to billpayers and means we can use renewable electricity more effectively, allowing excess generation to be exported” said UK Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey. “This new interconnector will increase the amount of capacity available through interconnectors by 25%.”
Steve Holliday, Chief Executive of National Grid, added that Nemo Link demonstrates that the new ‘cap and floor’ regime can help support new investment while protecting consumers and that interconnectors have an increasingly important role to play in making sure both countries have security of supply and in helping to lower wholesale prices for consumers.
Nemo Link will provide a third interconnector between the UK and Europe, helping to further integrate the Europe-wide internal energy market. A 2000 MW link to France and 1000 MW link to the Netherlands are already in operation.
The Belgian grid is currently able to import 3500 MW of capacity and it is planning to add an extra 1000 MW interconnection with Germany.
Subject to finalising deals, Nemo Link will begin announcing construction contracts for the converter stations and cable laying with engineering design work and site preparation beginning later in the year. Commercial operation of the interconnector is anticipated in 2019.
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