The UK has taken a step towards securing a sustainable supply of electricity for the future with the construction of the BritNed Interconnector, an innovative development to link electricity supply between the UK and the Netherlands.
The 1600 million scheme is a joint venture between the UK’s National Grid and energy transmission company TenneT in the Netherlands, and will create a permanent physical link to transport electricity between the two countries via a 260km cable laid under the North Sea.
As well as ensuring a secure source of electricity, the Interconnector will open up the European energy market by increasing diversity of supply. Electricity can be transmitted in both directions, which will enable energy trading and allow countries to stabilise prices by more efficiently matching supply to demand.