NeuConnect and TenneT have finalised a connection agreement to secure the German grid connection point for a vital new electricity interconnector between the UK and Germany.

NeuConnect is a privately-financed £1.4bn / €1.6bn interconnector that will create the first direct link between UK and German networks, connecting two of Europe’s largest energy markets for the first time. By integrating renewable energy sources in the UK and Germany, NeuConnect will allow up to 1.4GW of electricity to flow in either direction, helping to deliver a more resilient supply for both countries, and delivering a net reduction in carbon emissions of 16 MtCO2 over 25 years to support German, UK and European Net Zero goals.

The NeuConnect link will see over 700km of subsea cables form an ‘invisible energy highway’ between the German and UK markets. On the German side, NeuConnect and electricity transmission system operator TenneT have now signed a connection agreement for the link to connect into the German energy grid in the Wilhelmshaven region of northern Germany.

Securing the German connection agreement with TenneT joins a similar connection agreement secured on the UK side with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), and builds on the strong progress being made across the NeuConnect project – major planning works have been completed or nearing completion; lands have been secured for onshore works in Germany and the UK; and key planning approvals received. NeuConnect is targeting reaching financial close in the coming weeks which would allow major construction works to start later in 2022.

NeuConnect CEO Christophe Vanhove said:

“Securing our German connection agreement is another important milestone for NeuConnect and brings this vital new energy link between the UK and Germany an important step closer. We look forward to working with TenneT to help deliver greater energy security and support Germany’s ambitions for green energy growth.”

TenneT COO Tim Meyerjürgens said:

“The planned interconnector supports our efforts to make the German power grid more flexible, to improve the security of electricity supply, to transport more renewable energies across borders and thus to strengthen the North-western European energy market.”