Under the shadow of the Russian-Ukrainian war, countries are striving to safeguard energy supply. A plan for a 725-kilometer-long submarine cable connecting the UK and Germany has made new progress. At present, more than GBP1.5 billion of contracts have been signed and the project is expected to start this year.
NeuConnect is the UK's first power grid directly connected to Germany, with a total length of 725 kilometers, allowing 1.4GW of electricity to be transported in both directions. At present, NeuConnect has signed contracts with Prysmian S.p.A. and Siemens, and Prysmian will be responsible for the design, manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning of 725 kilometers of line, while Siemens is responsible for the design and construction of the UK and Germany converter station (converter station). The total value of the two contracts is approximately GBP1.5 billion.
Among the investors behind the NeuConnect plan are Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, and Kansai Electric Power. NeuConnect stated that since key contractors are now in place, it is expected to complete financial settlement in the next few weeks and construction can begin this year.
Chair of the Board of NeuConnect and Co-Founder of Meridiam, Julia Prescot stated, "Our need for a more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure has never been greater, so the team is delighted that NeuConnect can reach another key milestone, an important step towards a vital energy line."
NeuConnect sees this as an invisible "energy highway" and the first grid to directly connect the UK and German energy markets.
However, the NeuConnect project is not the first line to connect the UK with European countries. In 2021, a 724-kilometer submarine cable connecting the UK and Norway was launched. Norway's abundant hydropower resources will be able to assist the UK's power grid system. The wind power generation resources in Norway can also help Norway to stabilize power supply and the United Kingdom also announced a multi-billion-pound underwater energy highway plan in 2020, which will send more Scottish power to England and will develop a high-voltage DC line with a total capacity of 4GW.
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