Dutch Climate and Green Growth minister Sophie Hermans has included a new electricity interconnector between the Netherlands and the UK in the latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework. This interconnector, LionLink, will be realised through the Nederwiek 3 offshore grid project. TSO TenneT may now make investments for LionLink, understood to be the first direct-current hybrid interconnector, which will connect the Dutch offshore grid connection of wind farm Nederwiek 3 to both the Dutch and the UK onshore high-voltage grid. The term ‘hybrid’ describes a connection that can also be used as an additional high-voltage link to exchange electricity between the countries. LionLink is being realised in close co-operation with UK partner National Grid Ventures.
Marco Kuijpers, director if Large Projects Offshore at TenneT, said: “TenneT welcomes this next step in the development of LionLink. The hybrid interconnector between the Netherlands and the UK provides benefits for both countries, as it ensures improved security of supply, higher cable utilisation rates and efficient use of space in the North Sea. In addition, this hybrid interconnector stimulates competition in the energy markets so that the affordability of electricity improves for both consumers and industry. Over the next few years, National Grid Ventures, TenneT and the Dutch and UK governments will work together on the next steps to get the connection up and running in 2032.”
TenneT is developing an offshore grid connection for the Nederwiek 3 wind farm, and from the offshore platform a cable will be laid to the Netherlands and to the UK. The hybrid interconnector brings wind power from Nederwiek 3 ashore, but at the same time forms an interconnector between the UK and NL, linking the Dutch and European energy market with the UK energy market. TenneT is developing the connection on the Dutch side, while UK partner National Grid Ventures is developing the connection from the UK border in the North Sea to the onshore station in Great Britain.
Next steps
Before the hybrid interconnector can be realised, several steps need to be taken. The ministry of Climate and Green Growth will take a decision on the details of the market design for wind farm developers in the tender procedure for Nederwiek 3. In addition, new arrangements on market coupling between the European Union and the United Kingdom are needed for the effective operation of the interconnector.
