Electrical interconnection project linking the United Kingdom to Germany via a 725 km bi-directional submarine cable – 1.4 GW

Background

Meridiam is the lead developer of an electricity interconnector project linking the UK to Germany through a 725 km – 1.4GW HVDC bi-directional submarine cable (2 x 525 kV).
The Project benefits from a strong economic, social and political rationale as it is essential to the security of electricity supply of both countries, helps manage intermittency associated with growing renewable energy installed capacity and alleviates the current grid congestion in northern Germany. It will contribute to securing supply in the UK by harnessing the growing offshore wind surplus located in Northern Germany.
The Project implementation will result in a net reduction in carbon emissions of 13Mt CO2 over the 25 years which is the equivalent of planting ca. 28 million tree or removing ca. 400,000 cars off the road per year.

Stage:

Under construction

ESG SDG key points

Sustainable, low carbon electricity

The project will allow Britain to tap into the vast energy infrastructure existing in Germany, including its significant renewable energy sources (world’s 3rd largest producer of wind power). It will also help Germany to ease current bottlenecks with wind turbines frequently powered-down due to an excess of renewable energy generation.

In addition to what is legally required (public enquiries associated with the permitting process), regular events have been and will be held with the local communities to inform them of the next steps of the work and to gather feedback that will be incorporated in the works as much as is possible.

The Project has put in place a “Community Fund” to support local initiatives around the two converter station sites. The first project to be financed, is the refurbishment of two local community houses in the district of Wilhelmshaven, Germany (Fedderwarden and Sengwarden).Works are on-going. A similar project has been agreed with the local community in the Isle of Grain village. A study with high school students in Germany about the impact of works on bat communities has also been concluded. NeuConnect also utilizes the Community Fund to support educational initiatives with high-school age students in both countries.