The £2.4bn/€2.8bn NeuConnect project has completed a year of significant progress in 2023, keeping the delivery of the first direct energy link between the UK and Germany firmly on track.
Led by global investors Meridiam, Allianz Capital Partners, Kansai Electric Power and TEPCO, NeuConnect will become one of the world’s largest interconnectors with 725km of land and subsea cables forming an ‘invisible energy highway’ between the UK and Germany, connecting two of Europe’s largest markets for the first time. The new link will allow 1.4GW of electricity to flow in either direction – enough to power up to 1.5 million homes – helping to boost energy security and resilience while also helping to integrate renewable energy sources in both countries.
Through a series of key activities and milestones, NeuConnect has built up huge momentum throughout 2023 in some key areas including:
CONTINUED SUPPORT ACROSS GERMANY AND THE UK
In January, a series of industry awards recognised NeuConnect’s role in “supporting the energy transition, increasing competition, and strengthening security of supply across the two countries”
In March, during a historic Royal State visit to Germany, His Majesty The King and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeierpicked out NeuConnect as “a key project [that] highlights how closely Germany and the United Kingdom are working together to make our economies climate-neutral”
In November, NeuConnect was highlighted in a new “UK-Germany Energy and Climate Partnership” signed by the UK and German Governments
STRONG CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
July saw NeuConnect sign a licence agreement with The Crown Estate, marking the “final piece in the jigsaw” ahead of UK construction starting. In late July, major construction got underway with cabling contractor Prysmian starting Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) works in the UK
In November, NeuConnect announced that the first phase of UK construction works had been completed on schedule by Prysmian, while in Germany it was announced that ground preparation works for the new converter station building were nearly completed
In December, NeuConnect received its 2nd BIMSchG environmental permit in Germany, marking the last major permit needed for the project’s delivery. Works to construct an access road for the German converter station were also nearly completed in December
MOMENTUM TO CONTINUE IN 2024
Building on the strong progress made this year, NeuConnect will continue its momentum into 2024 – in Germany, major construction will start early next year
Meanwhile in the UK, 2024 will see the start of construction on the new Converter Station and the start of onshore and offshore cabling works
Julia Prescot, Chair of the NeuConnect Board said:
“A series of major milestones have made this our biggest year yet for NeuConnect and with work set to continue its strong momentum next year, the project remains firmly on track. We are grateful for the continued support of the UK and German Governments and our industry partners, which has been an important part of our progress in delivering this vital new energy link for Europe.”
The NeuConnect project is expected to be operational by 2028.
