Interconnectors: The Energy Lifelines That Keep the Lights On

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Interconnectors stand as modern marvels of engineering, sprawling across nations to keep our homes lit and industries running. These high-voltage cables, buried under land and sea, form an invisible web that connects the electrical grids of neighbouring countries. They allow for the two-way exchange of electricity, enabling countries to import or export power depending on their needs. The mechanics of interconnectors, from the generation of electricity to its consumption, involve complex systems of converter stations and cables. These systems ensure that electricity, often produced far from where it's needed, reaches its destination efficiently and with minimal loss.

A Closer Look at Current Interconnectors

BritNed links the UK and the Netherlands with a 1,000 MW capacity, facilitating the trade of electricity between the two countries and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources. Its operations are managed via a sophisticated platform called Empire, which handles Day Ahead and Intraday capacity auctions, among other functions. BritNed's converter stations, located in the Isle of Grain (UK) and Maasvlakte (Netherlands), play a critical role in converting and transmitting electricity over a 260km distance with a remarkably low loss factor of only 3%.

Nemo Link is a 1,000 MW HVDC submarine power cable connecting Richborough Energy Park in Kent, the UK, to Zeebrugge, Belgium. This joint venture between British National Grid and Belgian Elia has a total length of 140 km, with 130 km underwater. Commissioned on January 31, 2019, Nemo Link has an annual transmission capacity of 8.76 TWh and has been operational for over five years, transporting a total of 29 TWh of electricity with an availability above 99%.

The IFA (Interconnexion France-Angleterre) is a 2,000 MW HVDC electrical interconnector linking Sellindge (GB) and Les Mandarins (FR), extending approximately 70 km, with 45 km as subsea cable. It showcases over 30 years of operational excellence by RTE and National Grid, emphasising secure, sustainable, and affordable energy for GB and north-western Europe. The interconnector starts from Folkestone, Kent, and Calais, France, connecting to the respective countries' transmission systems.

The North Sea Link, a collaboration between Statnett and National Grid, is a 1,400 MW HVDC submarine power cable connecting Kvilldal in Norway to Blyth, England. Operational since October 1, 2021, it spans 720 km, making it the world's longest subsea interconnector at the time of commissioning. This interconnector facilitates the exchange of renewable energy between Norway and the UK, enhancing energy security and sustainability in both regions.

The Viking Link, operational since December 29, 2023, is a 1,400 MW HVDC submarine power cable connecting the UK and Denmark. Spanning 765 km, it's among the world's longest interconnectors, facilitating the exchange of renewable energy between the two countries. This project, a collaboration between National Grid and Energinet, enhances energy security and supports the integration of sustainable electricity generation.

The next-generation interconnector

The future of energy interconnection envisions a transformative approach where interconnectors do more than just share electricity across borders. They could evolve into offshore connection hubs for green energy, uniting clusters of offshore wind farms into a single connection point with neighbouring countries. This integrated asset, known as an Offshore Hybrid Asset (OHA), signifies a harmonious blend of offshore wind energy and interconnectors, streamlining the transition to sustainable energy and fostering closer collaboration within Europe.