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UK-Netherlands interconnector plans announced

By: Chloe Emanuel 24/04/2023 TenneT

Cables General Interconnectors

LionLink is a multi-purpose interconnector, which is designed to link offshore wind farms simultaneously to neighbouring markets via sub-sea interconnectors. Multi-purpose interconnectors will help to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind, while mitigating the impact on coastal communities with fewer individual connections and reduced infrastructure.

LionLink, which was included as a key project in the North Sea Energy Declaration, could connect Dutch wind farms to the electricity grids of both countries. The development would be the first-of-its-kind for the UK and the Netherlands, and the first step towards an integrated electricity grid in the North Sea.

Welcoming the announcement at the North Sea Summit in Ostend (Belgium), Dutch Energy Minister, Rob Jetten and UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Grant Shapps expressed their support for the LionLink project. Both parties recognise it as an important step in realising the full potential of the North Sea as Europe’s renewable energy powerhouse.

The UK and EU have a combined target for 110 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, which will aim to make a major contribution to both energy security and climate targets across the region. The Dutch and British energy markets were first connected in 2011 via the BritNed point-to-point interconnector, which has played an important role in supporting energy security this winter.

Manon van Beek, CEO TenneT, said: "It is our conviction that offshore hubs configured in a meshed DC grid must form the backbone of the North Sea powerhouse. This is a view that is increasingly shared, and for us, it is more than a vision of the future. In fact, we are already doing it by kicking off this ground-breaking LionLink project right now. It is a first step and a great opportunity to learn as the offshore grid takes shape."

Under the terms of the development agreement, TenneT and National Grid Ventures will explore the potential of LionLink, to simultaneously connect up to 2 GW of offshore wind between the British and Dutch electricity systems. In the next few years, studies on and offshore will commence, including further analysis of existing developments and proposals, as part of an integrated European grid.

In the development phase more research will also be conducted to develop a sound business case and a wider analysis of the socio-economic costs and benefits. The development phase is expected to result in a final investment decision in the middle of this decade.

For more information on interconnector projects worldwide, click here

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UK-Netherlands interconnector plans announced

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