Home Bulletin detail

National Grid Welcomes Milestone for UK’s First Hybrid Interconnectors to Connect Offshore Wind

2024-11-14 13:41

Wedoany.com Report-Nov 14, Ofgem has approved the initial project assessment for the LionLink and Nautilus electricity interconnectors, which determines the needs case of new projects for British consumers.

LionLink and Nautilus are pilot projects, defined as Offshore Hybrid Assets. They would not only connect national transmission systems, but also offshore wind farms based in Dutch and Belgian territorial waters, respectively. Both potential projects are first-of-a-kind, reflecting the same technological innovation required to deliver the longest land and subsea interconnector in the world, National Grid’s Viking Link. LionLink is being developed with Dutch transmission system operator, TenneT, and Nautilus is being developed with Belgian transmission operator, Elia.

Should they proceed, the projects would have a combined capacity of 3.2 GW and would significantly increase interconnector capacity, which the UK Government, National Energy System Operator, and Climate Change Committee have all highlighted as essential to not only hitting net-zero targets, but also ensuring customers receive low cost and secure power now and in the future. The two projects are forecast to deliver a combined £674 million in benefits to consumers in the first 10 years of their operations.

National Grid Ventures’ participation in these projects is conditional on a final investment decision which amongst other things will require certainty on an acceptable economic regulatory regime for the projects.

Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures said: “Ofgem’s approval of LionLink and Nautilus’ Initial Project Assessment is welcome news, and an important step towards having the regulatory certainty we need to build these projects. It is important that the regulatory arrangements are now finalised and deliver an investible framework. Consumer demand for electricity is set to double in the next 25 years, and if built these interconnectors would provide the invaluable flexibility we need in the system for both now and in 2050. Between them, LionLink and Nautilus would have the capacity to power 4.2 million UK homes, supplying clean, secure, renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Manon van Beek, CEO of TenneT added: “LionLink is the first step towards future offshore hubs configured in a meshed offshore DC grid. This hybrid interconnector supports decarbonisation, energy independence/transition and strengthens British, Dutch, and European security of supply. We welcome this big next step in the development of the connection between the UK and the Netherlands. There are still challenges ahead, but we are confident that our joint teams, suppliers and governments will make this project a resounding success.”

Frédéric Dunon, CEO Elia Transmission Belgium, commented: “Nautilus is an important project for our country's energy supply. Because our own offshore wind potential is limited, we need electrical connections to countries that will have surplus wind energy in the future, such as Britain. Nautilus will strengthen our security of supply and provide access to competitive energy prices. This will strengthen the competitiveness of our energy-intensive industry. Because of the hybrid nature of the interconnector, we are also choosing the most efficient solution.”

As a result of this process, National Grid can now confirm that if it proceeds, Nautilus would connect at the Isle of Grain, Kent.

“Community and stakeholder feedback has been essential to the evolution of Nautilus. We have always advocated for the Isle of Grain as the best location for Nautilus given it’s already a major hub for energy infrastructure and has the potential to offer the shortest offshore cable route to Belgium. This view was reinforced by community and stakeholder feedback. Now that Ofgem has approved Nautilus, we will continue to develop the project at Grain and look forward to engaging the community on our plans during future consultation,” concluded Wilson.

This newsletter is compiled and reprinted from the global Internet and strategic partner information, and it is only for readers' communication. If there are any infringements or other issues, please inform us timely, this site will be modified or deleted. Email: news@wedoany.com
Bulletin
Tasmanians To Benefit From $122m Hydro Dividend PowerChina Achieves Power Generation Target 51 Days Ahead Of Schedule Reclamation And Partners Complete Negotiations For The B.f. Sisk Dam Raise And Reservoir Expansion Project, Advancing Water Supply Reliability In California’s Central Valley Reclamation, DWR Celebrate Launch Of Key Delta Habitat Restoration Project Agencies Seek Comment On Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment Addressing Federal Support Of The Phase 2 Implementation Plan: Testing The Feasibility Of Reintroducing Salmon In The Upper Columbia River Basin Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan should think of creating a South Asian grid: Prof Yunus IWT Creating Hurdles In J&k Potential Hydel Power Generation: Cm Omar Transforming Hydropower with the Power of Digital Twins in Dam Operations Consultant Sought To Study Strengthening Of The Andekaleka Hydropower Dam In Madagascar Bringing Clarity to the Just in Just Coal Transition Pumping the Brakes on Coal Plant Retirements Hydraulic To Pneumatic: A Solution To Effective Ash Conveying And Utilisation Cop: Adb, Kazakhstan Tie Up On Early Coal Retirement Southern CEO: Data Center Demand, Regulatory Changes Could Keep Coal-Fired Units Online ČEz Secures Uranium Supply Contract Birchwood Park: A Nuclear Hub Evolution IAEA Conducts Disused Sealed Radioactive Sources Technical Centre Peer Review Mission in Slovenia IAEA and EBRD Expand Cooperation to Nuclear Energy to Help Reach Net Zero Nuclear Provides Jobs Boost To Bristol, Says EDF Energy Tsuruga 2 Non-compliant With Safety Standards, Regulator Rules