UK and Netherlands to build largest offshore power line

Once operational by the early 2030s, LionLink will carry 1.8GW of electricity, enough to power 1.8 million homes, more than Birmingham and Manchester combined. This cross-border electricity line will be only the second of its kind in the world, and it will be able to carry more than four times the amount of electricity as its predecessor. LionLink will connect the UK and Netherlands with offshore wind farms, reducing the need for further onshore construction and visible infrastructure, lessening the impact on the North Sea’s wildlife, according to a press release by the UK’s department for energy security and net zero.

The project will be developed by National Grid Ventures and TenneT, and is intended to benefit both the UK’s coastal communities and the environment.

The summit saw nine countries meet in Ostend to agree ambitions for building future offshore wind farms. The energy security secretary Grant Shapps, who led a British business delegation to the summit, also signed a historic agreement with Denmark to boost trade in cheaper, cleaner energy.

The UK currently has 8.4GW interconnector capacity, and LionLink alone will increase that by up to a fifth, meaning more clean and affordable power for UK homes and businesses. Britain’s contributions to the North Sea energy sector are expected to bring £20 billion a year of investment to the UK's coastal regions and create 40,000 skilled green jobs.

This project will build on the success of Germany and Denmark’s Kasso-Froslev, which carries 0.4GW of electricity. The project marks a significant milestone in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable technologies, offshore wind especially.

“Today’s historic deal with the Netherlands connects our two countries together through this exciting feat of innovation and engineering—the largest of its kind in the world which will provide enough electricity for more homes than in Manchester and Birmingham combined,” said energy security secretary Grant Shapps.

“With the North Sea becoming the largest supplier of green electricity for the Netherlands and large parts of Europe, we are ready to expand the interconnection between the two countries. LionLink provides close to 2GW of electricity to both countries, enough to power 2 million households. This new connection further boosts energy security and energy independence in Europe. Close collaboration on offshore wind energy and interconnection amongst the North Sea countries is imperative. So, in case there is a surplus of wind generated electricity, it can be shared instantly to locations with a shortage of power, and vice versa,” said Rob Jetten, minister of climate and energy for the Netherlands.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (NB)