NeuConnect completes site survey works as new energy link continues to make good progress

NeuConnect completed a range of site survey works on the Isle of Grain in Kent last month as plans for the vital new energy link between Great Britain and Germany continue to make good progress.

The NeuConnect interconnector will see over 700km of subsea cables form an ‘invisible highway’ to connect two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time, delivering a more resilient and sustainable electricity supply, while also helping to lower costs for consumers.

The new energy link will connect into the British electricity network at the Isle of Grain in Kent, where a new substation will be built. In preparation for future cabling and construction works, a series of site survey works were carried out in the Isle of Grain area in early March. The topological surveys carried out by a team of engineers and surveyors will provide NeuConnect with data to inform the detailed design of the converter station and the onshore cable route.

The site survey works were carried out before current COVID-19 restrictions were put in place – since then, NeuConnect are following the latest Government guidance with measures in place to allow work to continue remotely on the vital new energy link.

The completion of site survey works follows strong progress across the NeuConnect project, with a major £1bn procurement programme well underway, local planning processes started in the UK and Germany, and 700km of seabed surveys completed. Last month, NeuConnect was further boosted by the news that it is has now officially received Project of Common Interest (PCI) status from the European Commission, placing it on the list of Europe’s priority energy projects.

NeuConnect CEO Christophe Vanhove said:  

“The completion of site survey works last month is another important step in the delivery of this vital new energy link. Remote work is continuing across the project and we are making good progress across planning, engineering and procurement activities, helping 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 and Kansai Electric Power, with the project also supported by Greenage Power and Frontier Power as developers. The key partners bring a proven track record in delivering large-scale energy infrastructure.