UK energy regulator Ofgem is inviting bids to bring forward billions of pounds of investment in new electricity interconnectors to help boost energy security, hit the country’s climate goals, and save money for energy consumers.
A third investment round will be held next year to build the new subsea cables, which can import cheaper clean energy when it’s needed and export surplus power to neighbouring countries.
The UK currently has seven operational electricity interconnectors, connecting it to Ireland, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway.
These provided almost 7% of the UK’s electricity last year, Ofgem said.
It said that the UK government wants to more than double existing interconnector capacity by 2030 to support its target of quadrupling offshore wind capacity by the same date.
Ofgem said that to help meet that target next year’s investment round will favour projects able to complete by 2030.
Project developers and consumers will benefit from Ofgem’s cap and floor’ regime.
This sets a maximum ‘cap’ on revenues and a minimum ‘floor’ to ensure an adequate return for investors while keeping costs down for consumers.
Ofgem will also run a pilot cap and floor scheme for the first-time inviting bids for ‘Multiple-purpose Interconnectors’ that can link up clusters of offshore wind farms directly to an interconnector.
This means when the wind is blowing in the North Sea, these offshore wind farms can export surplus electricity to both Great Britain and Europe, the regulator said.
Ofgem director of networks Akshay Kaul said: “Greater interconnection of energy across borders is vital to ensure resilience, affordability and sustainability in the future as we transform our energy system.
“Our next investment round for interconnectors will bring forward the investment we need, creating green jobs and unleashing the full potential of the UK’s world leading offshore wind industry, while also protecting customers by capping costs.”
Work on the East West Interconnector between the UK and Ireland is pictured.