GB regulator gives green light for Nautilus, the first hybrid interconnector between Belgium and the UK

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain (GB), has published the list of interconnectors that its analyses suggest are sufficiently mature and have a positive cost-benefit balance that supports their further development. The list includes Nautilus, the first hybrid interconnector to link the United Kingdom and Belgium. The publication is a crucial step in the further realisation of the project. Nautilus was included in the Belgian Federal Development Plan and has already received recognition from the European Commission as a Project of Mutual Interest (PMI). National Grid Ventures, the development arm of British grid operator National Grid, and Elia Transmission Belgium (ETB) can now move the project forward.

The United Kingdom carries a huge amount of offshore wind energy potential. Lots of countries are therefore interested in establishing electrical connections (known as ‘interconnectors’) with the country to access that renewable energy. The GB energy regulator screens all these applications in terms of their feasibility and relevance, determining which interconnectors can be developed and which cannot. The latest report reviewed seven so-called point-to-point interconnectors and two offshore hybrid interconnectors. Nautilus belongs to the latter category and has been given the green light. 

Hybrid interconnector

A hybrid interconnector like Nautilus has two functions: it transports power between two countries, but it can also bring offshore wind energy back to their shores. Nautilus will provide the link between the British coast and the Princess Elisabeth Island (PEI) and thus will also be able to transport power from the PEI area. This will ensure that the transmission infrastructure is used more efficiently and will reduce impacts on coastal communities and the marine environment. Nautilus has a capacity of 1.4 GW. The Netherlands is also developing a hybrid interconnector with the United Kingdom, which is called LionLink. The latter was also given the green light by the GB regulator. These connections will form the first building blocks of a meshed offshore electricity grid. 

"Nautilus is an important project for our country's energy supply. Because our own offshore wind potential is limited, we need electrical connections with countries that will produce surplus amounts of wind energy in the future, such as Britain. Nautilus will strengthen our security of supply and provide access to competitive energy prices. This will strengthen the competitiveness of our energy-intensive industry. Because of the hybrid nature of the interconnector, we are also choosing the most efficient solution."
Frédéric Dunon, CEO Elia Transmission Belgium

"Ofgem’s approval of Nautilus’ Initial Project Assessment is welcome news, and an important step towards building this exciting project. Consumer demand for energy is set to double in the next 25 years, and Nautilus will help ensure the UK and Belgium have enough energy to meet this need both now and in 2050. Nautilus will have the capacity to power 1.7m million homes, supplying clean, secure, renewable energy to consumers and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures

Nemo Link as a little brother

Belgium is already connected to the United Kingdom through Nemo Link. Nemo Link was commissioned almost six years ago. Up to 1 GW of electricity can be exchanged between the United Kingdom and Belgium via this point-to-point interconnector. It  is one of the most efficient cables in the world today. The 140 km-long undersea HVDC interconnector has an availability of 99.5%. Nemo Link supports security of supply, increases grid balancing capabilities, and provides more socioeconomic benefits for both countries.