NeuConnect today welcomed the Chair and senior leaders from energy regulator Ofgem to the project’s UK onshore construction site at the Isle of Grain in Kent, offering chance to view the good progress being made on the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany.

Led by global investors Meridiam, Allianz, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO, the £2.4bn/€2.8bn NeuConnect project will be one of the world’s largest interconnectors – new Converter Stations being built on the Isle of Grain in Kent and Wilhelmshaven in northern Germany will be connected by 725km of subsea cables, forming  an ‘invisible energy highway’ between two of Europe’s largest energy markets. The new link will allow 1.4GW of electricity – enough to power up to 1.5 million homes – to flow in either direction, helping to boost energy security and integrating UK and German renewable energy sources.

In the UK, NeuConnect is being delivered under Ofgem’s Cap and Floor regime for interconnectors, with Ofgem’s providing continued regulatory support for the delivery of this vital new energy link. Earlier today, NeuConnect Chair Julia Prescot and CEO Arnaud Grévoz welcomed Ofgem Chair Mark McAllister, Director General for Infrastructure Akshay Kaul, and other Ofgem senior leaders to NeuConnect’s construction site at the Isle of Grain in Kent. The visit offered chance to view and discuss:

NeuConnect’s UK Converter Station structures taking shape

• NeuConnect’s UK onshore site comprises a main Converter Station building (that includes two Converter Halls, a Control Building and Transformer Bays) and a separate Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) hall to house high-voltage electrical equipment
• The Ofgem visit viewed the progress being made by main contractor Siemens Energy on ‘super structure’ works which have now reached full height on the 24 metre-high, 70 metre-wide Converter Hall buildings, with cladding works well underway

The first transformers now delivered to the UK site

• At NeuConnect’s Converter Stations, a series of transformers are needed to help convert the flows of high-voltage direct current power so that it can be connected into the UK and German electricity grids
• In the last few weeks, Siemens Energy have successfully delivered the first transformers to the Isle of Grain site in the UK, offering the Ofgem team the chance to view this essential equipment now in place
• The huge transformers each measure 7 metres long by 5 metres tall and weighs over 200 tonnes – the equivalent weight to a passenger train or a large house

Continued progress on subsea cabling works

• NeuConnect’s offshore works will see over 700km of subsea cabling installed between the UK and Germany, with the Ofgem visit offering chance to discuss the progress being made offshore
• Cabling contractor Prysmian completed an earlier phase of cabling works in UK waters in 2025 and, following the winter break, cabling works resumed earlier this year
• The world’s largest cable laying vessel – Prysmian Leonardo da Vinci – is now installing more than 140km of subsea cabling over the coming months

Ofgem’s support for major infrastructure projects

• As a major project being delivered under Ofgem’s Cap and Floor regime, the NeuConnect visit offered chance for a real-time look at how Ofgem’s regulatory policies translate into large scale energy projects on the ground
• With Ofgem also unveiling new proposals to accelerate the delivery of major infrastructure projects, the site visit offered chance for the Ofgem and NeuConnect teams to discuss the importance of Ofgem’s continued policies and future plans

Mark McAllister, Chair of Ofgem, said: “Interconnector projects such as NeuConnect are vital to maximising the benefits of Great Britain’s clean power potential, strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth. With Britain expected to become a net exporter of electricity, interconnectors will be key to exporting surplus clean power while retaining the flexibility to import electricity when needed. Ofgem’s tried‑and‑tested Cap and Floor regime ensures these projects deliver value for consumers while providing attractive returns for investors and reflect the spirit of international cooperation set out in the Government’s recent Hamburg Declaration.” 

NeuConnect Chair Julia Prescot CBE said: “As we deliver the first UK-German energy link, Ofgem’s continued support is a core part of the process, so we welcomed the opportunity to show the Ofgem leadership team the good progress we are making. With our onshore construction reaching full height, and our offshore cabling works continuing in UK waters, this vital new energy link for Europe is firmly on track.”

For further information on NeuConnect, please visit neuconnect-interconnector.com.