The “NeuConnect” interconnector, which is likely to begin construction the next year, will offer a 1.4 GW of capacity for electricity to move between the two countries for the first time. For the UK, the interconnecting cables are a part of a longer-term ambition to become a net exporter of electricity by the 2040s.

July 30, 2021

One of the first project-financed interconnectors in Europe – NeuConnect will be built between Germany and the UK by 2023-24. As the interconnector market to private investment has been opened up, this is being promoted by both the UK and German governments as an initiative towards greater grid integration. The reasoning as presented by them along with the European grid regulators is that – to keep a climate-neutral Europe running on intermittent renewable power sources, this will require more interconnected energy systems.

In the mid-2020s, this could make Germany and the UK connected by the first-ever direct power cable link between the two countries. The direct current subsea cable, connecting the Isle of Grain in the UK with Wilhelmshaven in Germany is one of the first privately financed interconnectors in Europe.

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Construction of the “NeuConnect” interconnector is going to begin next year, offering 1.4 GW of capacity for electricity to move between the two countries for the first time. The line will provide an effective outlet for surplus wind energy from northern Germany. From the UK perspective, the new interconnector will provide a valuable source of cost-effective green energy coming from northern German wind parks.

“It will allow our energy grids to share excess power – making sure renewable energy is not wasted,” Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, said in her statement in July.

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With regard to the UK government, the cable is a part of a longer-term ambition to become a net exporter of electricity by the 2040s, rather than a net importer as is currently the case. At present, UK has 6 interconnections (2 with Ireland, 2 with France, 1 with the Netherlands, and 1 with Belgium) with 6 further projects under construction. On the other hand, Germany has 54 interconnections and 8 are in advanced planning. The UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is forecasting a rise from 5.7 GW interconnector capacities (the current level) to 18.9 GW capacities by 2040.