The £2.4bn/€2.8bn NeuConnect project has reached another key milestone this week with a first phase of cabling works now completed on land and in UK waters, as the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany starts to take shape.
New converter stations on the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany will be connected by 725km of land and subsea wires to form an “invisible energy highway”, connecting two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time.
Prysmian’s Cable Enterprise vessel has been laying subsea cabling in UK waters, with lines buried beneath the seabed for protection and to minimise any impacts on the marine environment.
Alongside this, the first phase of the scope has also included pull in works, with subsea cables brought through a series of new underground ducts on the Isle of Grain coastline onto NeuConnect’s onshore site.
Through a combination of onshore and subsea tasks, a total of 56km of wires has now been installed in this phase of works.
NeuConnect started major construction in 2023 with foundation works on the new UK converter station now at the height of activity, and with piling works also starting on the new German converter station.
Led by global investors Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO, NeuConnect will become one of the world’s largest interconnectors.
The new link will allow 1.4GW of electricity – enough to power up to 1.5 million homes – to flow in either direction, helping to boost energy security while also helping to integrate renewable energy sources in the UK and Germany.
Cabling installation will now pause over the winter period and then accelerate later in 2025, with NeuConnect’s huge cabling programme continuing through UK, Dutch and German waters into 2027.
NeuConnect will install 525kV High Voltage Direct Current cables throughout that, once the project is completed in 2028, will help to create a secure and highly efficient connection between the UK and German energy networks.
Chair of NeuConnect Julia Prescot said: “Completing this first phase of cabling is a major milestone for NeuConnect and an important symbolic moment for the UK and Germany as a major new energy link between both countries begins to take shape.
“As one of the world’s longest interconnectors, this phase of works is very much a first stage in a much longer 725km cabling marathon – we are pleased to have reached this important milestone but are not complacent about the scale of works to be completed, and close working with our industry partners will be crucial in keeping this vital new energy link firmly on track.”