Construction begins on €2.8bn UK-Germany energy link

Construction has commenced on the NeuConnect project, a €2.8 billion (£2.3bn) energy link connecting the UK and Germany. This landmark initiative, the first of its kind between the two nations, aims to bolster energy security and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources.

German Ministers Dr. Robert Habeck and Olaf Lies, alongside UK Minister Greg Hands, attended the ground-breaking ceremony held in Wilhelmshaven, northern Germany. Backed by global investors such as Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, Kansai Electric Power, and TEPCO, NeuConnect plans to finalize the project by 2028.

The project involves the construction of new converter stations in Wilhelmshaven and on the Isle of Grain in England, connected by 725 kilometers of land and subsea cables. This “invisible energy highway” will enable up to 1.4GW of electricity to flow in either direction, providing power for up to 1.5 million homes. Moreover, it is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 13 million tonnes over a span of 25 years.

Contractors Siemens Energy and Prysmian, have initiated construction in Wilhelmshaven. UK Minister of State for Trade Policy, Greg Hands, emphasized the vital role of interconnectors in strengthening energy security. He highlighted NeuConnect’s significance in linking two of Europe’s largest energy markets and delivering electricity to millions of homes across the North Sea.

Dr. Robert Habeck, German Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, emphasized the importance of collaboration in Europe for the success of the energy transition. He noted that the interconnector will help balance fluctuations in renewable energy output, enhance flexibility in electricity markets, and maintain system stability in both countries.

NeuConnect Chair Julia Prescot emphasized the shared goal of delivering a greener, more secure energy system for the future. She emphasized NeuConnect’s vital role in uniting the net-zero ambitions of Germany and the UK and strengthening economic ties between both countries.