NeuConnect awards key contract for offshore permitting works

NeuConnect has awarded a key contract to Primo Marine for offshore permitting works as the vital new energy link continues to make strong progress.

The NeuConnect interconnector will create the first direct link between UK and German electricity networks, connecting two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time. The new link will allow 1.4GW of electricity to flow in either direction, helping to deliver a more resilient and sustainable electricity supply, while also helping to lower costs for consumers.

Over 700km of subsea cables will form an ‘invisible highway’ between the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in Northern Germany, with Primo Marine assisting with offshore works for the new link, including Marine Permit Applications, Route Engineering, and Seabed Mobility Studies.

The award of another key contract builds on a period of continued progress for NeuConnect, with a major £1bn procurement programme well underway, local planning processes started in the UK and Germany, and NeuConnect placed on the European Commission’s list of priority energy projects. A decision by Ofgem last week to approve changes to existing regulations for interconnectors also marked another important step forwards for the project.

NeuConnect CEO Christophe Vanhove said: “It is crucial that we secure a world-class team to help us deliver this vital new energy link, so we are delighted to award a key contract to Primo Marine. Even in these challenging times we are making strong progress throughout the project, with remote working on procurement, planning and engineering activities helping to keep us firmly on track.”

NeuConnect is a privately-financed £1.4bn / €1.6bn interconnector being developed by an international, experienced consortium that includes Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners on behalf of Allianz Group, Kansai Electric Power and Greenage Power, with the project also supported by Frontier Power as developers. The key partners bring a proven track record in delivering large-scale energy infrastructure.