NeuConnect has started early works on a direct electricity connection between GB and Germany. Enabling works have started at the Isle of Grain in Kent, England and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany. The new interconnector will have 725km of land and subsea cables and will have a capacity of 1.4GW in either direction.
Major construction to lay subsea cables and build converter stations will start in 2023, and NeuConnect is due to be operational by 2028.
Led by global investors Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, Kansai Electric Power and Tepco, NeuConnect reached financial close in July. The funding consortium of more than 20 national and international banks and financial institutions had to invest £2.4 billion in the link, which is currently the single-largest Anglo-German infrastructure project.
Fabrication of the cable began at Prysmian’s factory in Arco Felice, Italy in October. In other major contracts Siemens Energy will supply converter stations in England and Germany, together while a joint venture of Arup and Fichtner will provide project services