Header image courtesy of Prysmian.
Construction work has commenced on a crucial link between the two largest European energy markets, as reported by ReNewz. The 1400 MW NeuConnect project will connect the UK and Germany when completed.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) works have been kicked off by Prysmian, a cabling contractor on the UK side on the Isle of Grain in Kent. The HDD will link the subsea cables to land. The company has also started working on attenuation ponds and an access road to the new electricity converter station, handled by Siemens Energy.
The first stage of cable installation will start next year. However, the manufacturing of the 725 km of cabling required for the interconnector has started at Prysmian’s Italian factory and Sumitomo’s Japanese plant.
NeuConnect will become one of the world’s largest interconnectors, with electricity flowing both ways between the UK and Germany. The interconnector is expected to boost energy resilience, security, and renewable energy integration in both countries.
The German end of the interconnector is located in the Wilhelmshaven region in Lower Saxony. The cables will pass through British, Dutch, and German waters.
NeuConnect is expected to come online by 2028.
Lord Johnson, UK Minister for Investment, said: “This £2.4bn project doesn’t just demonstrate continued global investor confidence in the UK, but also the successful work we are doing with our European neighbours to drive investment and deliver vital new infrastructure. The first spade in the ground is a significant milestone on a project of national importance, so I offer my congratulations to NeuConnect and its investors.”
Miguel Berger, German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, added: “NeuConnect is a key project to support Germany and the UK in achieving their climate targets and to boost energy security. It is the largest Anglo-German infrastructure project and will enable us to share excess power – preventing renewable energy from being wasted.”
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