Groundbreaking of the First Direct German-British Power Connection

Groundbreaking of the First Direct German-British Power Connection

The first direct power connection between the United Kingdom and Germany, "NeuConnect," is being established. Last week work began on the German side at the construction site in Wilhelmshaven. Federal Minister Habeck, along with the British Minister of State for Trade Policy Gregory Hands, Lower Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs Olaf Lies, and the Mayor of Wilhelmshaven Carsten Feist, as well as representatives of the executing companies, were participating in the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony.

Federal Minister Robert Habeck: "A climate-neutral power system needs flexibility. That's why we are not only expanding the power grids in Germany but also ensuring power connection to our neighbors. The construction of this power connection is one of many building blocks for decarbonization, combined with the highest level of supply security – including cross-border. Both must go hand in hand. The close German-British cooperation in this area is a good sign for further cooperative projects."

NeuConnect will connect the transmission networks of Germany and the United Kingdom over a length of approximately 720 km. The power connection will run from the planned substation Isle of Grain in Kent County to the substation Fedderwarden in the city area of Wilhelmshaven. It will cross the territorial waters of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany. The length of the German section of the line is 193 km. In the North Sea, the line is planned as a submarine cable and on the German land side as an underground cable.

NeuConnect will contribute to supply security in both countries through the direct exchange of electricity between Germany and the United Kingdom. With its capacity of 1.4 gigawatts, it can supply up to 1.5 million households with electricity. The line is scheduled to go into operation in 2028. Germany and the United Kingdom share the goal of achieving climate neutrality by the middle of the century. With a joint declaration of intent on November 3, 2023, they reaffirmed their desire to cooperate more closely in the future to ensure secure, clean, and affordable energy for consumers in both countries. The United Kingdom has substantial potential in offshore wind energy generation and plans to expand to 50 gigawatts of installed capacity by 2030. Thus, green electricity will flow to Germany via NeuConnect in the future.

The investment costs are being covered by an international consortium.

(Source: Federal Ministery for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Press Release)