Construction on the £2.4 billion UK-German energy link has begun. Up to 1.5 million houses are expected to be powered by the project over its lifetime.
NeuConnect, a £2.4 billion interconnector that will create the first-ever connection between the energy markets of the UK and Germany, has officially started construction.
Aiming to build one of the largest interconnectors in the world and providing a crucial energy link between the two nations, this enormous project is being led by international investors Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, Kansai Electric Power, and TEPCO.
The NeuConnect interconnector, which would span about 725 km and is made up of a network of land and underwater cables, will act as a “invisible energy highway” that will allow up to 1.4 GW of electricity to be transported back and forth between the UK and Germany.
The Wilhelmshaven region in Lower Saxony, northern Germany, and the Isle of Grain in Kent, England, are the two key places where NeuConnect will build converter stations.
UK Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps said: “With the potential to power 1.5 million homes from 2028 with reliable, affordable and clean power, I am delighted to see construction commence today, with this exciting infrastructure set to protect the UK’s energy security for generations to come.”
Julia Prescot, Chair of NeuConnect, said: “At a time when sustainable, resilient energy links across Europe have never been more important, the start of construction on NeuConnect is a huge milestone and an important step in the race to net zero.”
