National Grid Ventures has reclassified two interconnector projects off east England as multi-purpose interconnectors that will each deliver power from multiple offshore wind farms.
The projects off Suffolk, currently known as Nautilus and EuroLink, which would link the UK to mainland Europe, will now be used as part of the new connection plan that will connect wind projects into neighbouring countries.
By combining offshore wind farms with an interconnector, MPIs would reduce the amount of onshore infrastructure needed, compared to the current approach in which interconnectors and wind farms are developed and connected separately, said the commercial development arm of National Grid.
The outfit said it is working to develop a viable interconnector of this kind by the end of the decade. It recently announced a cooperation with Dutch-German TSO TenneT to explore such a project.
“National Grid Ventures is committed to working closely with the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Ofgem and the wider industry to ensure that innovations such as MPIs help deliver the review’s stated objective for better coordination of infrastructure.”
Head of business development Martin Cook added: “The UK’s binding commitment to net zero by 2050 has set a clear goal for a low-carbon future for generations to come. Multi-Purpose Interconnectors have the potential to act as a key enabler for new offshore wind projects.”