4C is now TGS

We are excited to announce a significant milestone in 4C Offshore's journey. Our integration into the TGS family marks the beginning of a new era in offshore wind market intelligence.

Learn what this means for you!

Nemo Link exceeds Elia's expectations

By: Tom Russell 03/02/2021 Elia

General Interconnectors

Nemo Link, the first electricity interconnector between the United Kingdom and Belgium, has performed very well during its first two years in operation, according to the Belgian transmission system operator.

The subsea interconnector - which connects Bruges, Belgium to Richborough, UK - is the result of a joint venture between National Grid Interconnector Holdings Limited, a subsidiary company of the UK’s National Grid Plc, and Elia group. Upon commissioning on 31 January 2019, 1000 MW of electricity was able to travel in both directions, ensuring exchange options and flexibility for the Belgian and UK electricity markets.

Availability was 96% in its first year of operation, rising to 99.17% in the second year. A total of 12 TWh was transferred between the two countries. Electricity mainly flowed to the United Kingdom (85% to the United Kingdom, 15% to Belgium during the last year).

With Great Britain's exit from the EU internal energy market, implicit day ahead auctions have been replaced by explicit auctions meaning that at the day ahead stage, capacity and energy are sold separately rather than at the same time in the Single Day-Ahead Market Coupling mechanism. On 31 December 2020, Nemo Link conducted its first day-ahead explicit auction, ensuring that electricity can continue to flow between the UK and Belgium without any disruption under the new trading agreement. The interconnector is expected to update its auction times in an effort to improve the efficiency of its explicit auctions and auction schedules may be updated upon regulatory approval.

"Nemo Link is now two years old and continues to perform brilliantly. We are delighted to be celebrating this birthday and to be reporting such good numbers for the interconnector. The advanced technology used for the cable was a world first, making it possible to design and implement a robust and efficient interconnector that guarantees electricity is available when needed. Nemo Link was a pioneering project in Europe, providing new opportunities for exchanges between countries. We can already see today that offshore development will be one of the pillars of the European power grid in the future," commented Patrick De Leener, Chief Customer, Market & System Officer.

For more information on interconnector projects worldwide, click here. You can also click here to view the project, and others worldwide, on 4C Offshore's interactive map.

Premium

4C Offshore Premium, our most popular subscription, gives you full access to use the 4C Offshore WebApp which includes exclusive offshore wind, transmission and vessel reports, news and downloads.

Request a 30 minute Demo

Nemo Link exceeds Elia's expectations

Back to News

Trending News!