Offshore staff
WEERT, the Netherlands — TenneT and the UK’s National Grid plan an electricity link connecting offshore wind developments between the Netherlands and the UK.
LionLink could connect Dutch wind farms to the electricity grids of both countries via a subsea HV cable, called a multipurpose or hybrid interconnector. This would also represent a first step toward an integrated electricity grid in the North Sea.
The UK and EU have a combined target of 110 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030.
The Dutch and UK energy sectors were first connected in 2011 via the BritNed point-to-point interconnector.
TenneT CEO Manon van Beek said, “It is our conviction that offshore hubs configured in a meshed DC grid must form the backbone of the North Sea powerhouse. This is a view that is increasingly shared…”
Ben Wilson, president National Grid Ventures, added, “Connecting wind farms to multiple markets simultaneously is a game changer for energy infrastructure and brings us one step closer to realizing the enormous green energy potential of the North Sea. Not only can we deploy every spare electron where it is needed most, we can help to reduce the impact of infrastructure on coastal communities. We now need the right political, legal and regulatory framework to make it happen and establish a mutually beneficial North Sea grid to deliver a cleaner, fairer, more secure and more affordable energy future for British and European consumers.”
Minister Rob Jetten, Climate & Energy said, “LionLink provides close to 2 GW of electricity to both countries…
“Close collaboration on offshore wind energy and interconnection among 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.”
04.24.2023
