Ofgem has recommended for approval two high voltage cable links that would join the UK to Europe’s power systems and offshore wind resources.
LionLink would be a first of its kind electricity connection which would not only join the British and Dutch power grids, but also connect Britain’s network directly to Dutch wind farms in the North Sea.
This so-called Offshore Hybrid Asset (OHA) could provide 1.8GW of electricity capacity.
The energy regulator also gave a provisional green light to the Tarchon interconnector project which would create the second electricity link between the British and German grids. The 610km cable could provide 1.4GW of electricity capacity.
The schemes being considered would provide more capacity for both exporting and importing energy, something which is needed as the UK moves toward a net zero energy system, which is more reliant on intermittent sources of generation such as wind and solar power.
Great Britain currently has 11.7GW of interconnection capacity already operational or under construction today, and LionLink and Tarchon could add a further 3.2GW of capacity.
Ofgem director of major projects Rebecca Barnett said: “Interconnectors can make energy supply cleaner, cheaper and more secure. It’s a win-win and helps further harness the vast potential of the North Sea.
“We can sell our excess clean power to Europe, when we generate more than we need, or access power to meet electricity demand in Britain, during times when energy supply here is more limited.
“We’ve assessed all the proposed projects on their individual merits against our published criteria and recommended regulatory support for the ones which we believe will deliver for consumers in terms of energy security and the economy.”
Ofgem is also consulting on its current view not to approve another proposed OHA asset, and a further six proposed interconnectors, which have not thus far sufficiently convinced Ofgem that they meet the requirements for approval.