TenneT may make investments for LionLink, the interconnector which connects the Dutch offshore grid connection of wind farm Nederwiek 3 to both the Dutch and the UK onshore high-voltage grid.
Dutch Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans has included a new electricity interconnector, LionLink, between the Netherlands and the UK in the latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework.
Hybrid interconnector
LionLink will be the first direct-current hybrid interconnector. It is called a hybrid interconnector because TenneT is developing an offshore grid connection for the Nederwiek 3 wind farm and from the offshore platform a cable will be laid to the Netherlands and to the UK. The hybrid interconnector brings wind power from Nederwiek 3 ashore, but at the same time forms an interconnector between the UK and NL, linking the Dutch and European energy market with the UK energy market.
LionLink is being realised in close cooperation with UK partner National Grid Ventures (NGV). TenneT is developing the connection on the Dutch side. UK partner National Grid Ventures is developing the connection from the UK border in the North Sea to the onshore station in Great Britain.
Improved security of supply and efficient use
Marco Kuijpers director Large Projects Offshore at TenneT said, ‘TenneT welcomes this next step in the development of LionLink. The hybrid interconnector between the Netherlands and the UK provides benefits for both countries, as it ensures improved security of supply, higher cable utilisation rates and efficient use of space in the North Sea. In addition, this hybrid interconnector stimulates competition in the energy markets so that the affordability of electricity improves for both consumers and industry. Over the next few years, National Grid Ventures, TenneT and the Dutch and UK governments will work together on the next steps to get the connection up and running in 2032.’
Next steps
Before the hybrid interconnector can be realised, several steps still need to be taken. For instance, the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth will take a decision on the details of the market design for wind farm developers in the tender procedure for Nederwiek 3. In addition, new arrangements on market coupling between the European Union and the United Kingdom are needed for the effective operation of this interconnector.
Nederwiek 3 grid connection
Three wind farms from the supplementary Roadmap Offshore Wind Energy 2030 will be built in the Nederwiek wind energy area: Nederwiek 1, 2 and 3. Together, they have a capacity of about 6 GW. The electricity produced by the wind farms must be transported to land. One of these connections is the 2GW ‘Net op zee Nederwiek 3’. This is the total grid connection from the offshore wind farm Nederwiek Noord to a converter station yet to be built on land. Source/Image: TenneT
