The UK energy regulator Ofgem has approved five new subsea transmission power links. They include three interconnection projects and two offshore hybrid projects, which will increase the UK’s energy export and import capacity by over 6 GW to over 18 GW.
The three interconnectors approved by Ofgem are the 1.4 GW Tarchon interconnector linking Germany to England, the 750 MW Mares Connect project, linking Ireland and Wales, and the 700 MW LirlC project linking Northern Ireland to Scotland.
In addition, two projects have been greenlighted as offshore hybrid assets. They are the 1.8 GW LionLink, which will connect Dutch offshore wind parks to the UK grid with an onshore landing point in Suffolk, and the 1.4 GW Nautilus, which will connect Belgian offshore wind parks to the UK grid in Kent.
The five new approved projects are all expected to be commissioned by the end of 2032.