NeuConnect Interconnector

On Thursday 5th February, major infrastructure project NeuConnect, connected to the UK at the Isle of Grain, hosted a careers event at The Thomas Aveling School in Rochester, giving young women the chance to explore future opportunities in STEM fields. The NeuConnect event, organised in collaboration with Inspiring Girls International and supported by partners Prysmian and Artelia, marked the first in a two‑part international initiative, with a parallel event which took place in March.

NeuConnect is an interconnector project creating the first direct power link between Germany and Great Britain, connecting two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time.

More than 45 students took part in the workshop, which was opened with a speech from local Member of Parliament Lauren Edwards, followed by a lively panel discussion featuring female role models from across NeuConnect, Prysmian and Artelia. The session was followed by a fast-paced speed‑mentoring activity, enabling smaller groups of students to ask questions about career paths, day‑to‑day responsibilities, and the realities of working in engineering, infrastructure and energy.

The day concluded with an interactive workshop, where students worked in groups to build their own mini-interconnector models, bringing to life the concepts behind the NeuConnect project.

Over the past year, NeuConnect, Prysmian and Artelia have been working closely with the Inspiring Girls UK team to create a workshop that would help girls better understand the breadth of careers available in STEM, how to navigate a path into the industry, and what skills and confidence can help them get started.

Planning took place in coordination with the Inspiring Girls Germany team, ensuring that the UK and German events were aligned to celebrate the international partnership underpinning the NeuConnect project.

Lauren Edwards MP comments “Many thanks to the Grain‑based energy project NeuConnect for inviting me to speak at their STEM careers event at The Thomas Aveling School, held in partnership with the Inspiring Girls charity. Ensuring that women and girls are able to achieve their potential in science, technology, engineering and maths careers is crucial, and it was great to see so many girls from Thomas Aveling excelling in these subjects and  taking part in the event.”

Inspiring Girls International is a global charity dedicated to raising the aspirations of girls by connecting them with female role models. Active in 40 countries, we challenge gender stereotypes and broaden girls’ horizons by introducing them to diverse careers, empowering them to make confident, informed choices about their futures. Through school talks, speed networking events, and digital campaigns, we provide relatable, real-world inspiration to thousands of girls across the world. Our mission is simple: if girls can see it, they can be it. To learn more, visit www.inspiring-girls.com

NeuConnect was delighted to welcome Lauren Edwards, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, to the project construction site on Isle of Grain on 13^th March for an update on construction of the UK’s first direct energy link with Germany. The visit provided an opportunity for Ms Edwards to meet the project team, see progress on site, and hear first-hand how NeuConnect is generating long term local benefits for communities across Medway.

Following her visit, Ms Edwards said:

“It was great to meet NeuConnect CEO Arnaud Grévoz and his team and see construction well underway at the UK side of the NeuConnect interconnector on the Isle of Grain. Once completed in 2028, this 450-mile-long subsea electricity cable between the UK and Germany will increase both our national energy resilience and our energy sustainability. I’m delighted the project is already having a positive impact in Rochester and Strood, with 60% of the workforce employed from the local area and NeuConnect investing in partnerships with local businesses, schools, charities, and parish councils.”

During the visit, representatives from the project team outlined NeuConnect’s programme of community investment, including its UK Community Fund, which supports local organisations across the Isle of Grain and the wider Medway region. This year, the award has been granted to two organisations. Slough Fort Preservation Trust will use the funds to convert the old military recreation building into a lecture and education room for local schools and youth groups. wHoo Cares CIC has been awarded funding to make its community allotment disability accessible and to facilitate the 2026 Christmas Present Scheme, which will provide gifts for vulnerable residents living on the Hoo Peninsula, aiming to reduce loneliness and isolation and strengthen community connections.

Ms Edwards also heard how NeuConnect is creating pathways into employment, with the third instalment of NeuConnect’s annual work experience placement planned for summer 2026 designed to inspire and equip young people for future careers in engineering, energy and construction. Ms Edwards also supported NeuConnect earlier this year to deliver the Inspiring Girls event in February, where she spoke to local students at Thomas Aveling school about opportunities for careers in STEM.

The NeuConnect team also highlighted the economic benefits already being generated locally, with 60% of the workforce employed from the surrounding Medway area, and a strong focus on partnering with local suppliers and training providers.

The NeuConnect interconnector — a £2.4bn privately financed project — will create a 725km “invisible energy highway” between the UK and Germany, enabling up to 1.4GW of electricity to flow in either direction for the first time. By linking two of Europe’s largest energy markets, NeuConnect will strengthen energy security, support the transition to clean power, and deliver long‑term cost benefits for consumers.