The first direct electricity connection between Great Britain and Germany, named "Neu Connect," is being established. The project will create a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power link developed by NeuConnect Britain Limited.

Prysmian Group was awarded a contract in March 2022 by NeuConnect Britain Limited and NeuConnect Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG to design, manufacture, install and test a land and submarine interconnector directly linking the German and UK electricity grids for the first time.

Construction begins on the German side at the site in Wilhelmshaven. Federal Minister Robert Habeck, British Minister of State for Trade Policy Gregory Hands, Lower Saxony Economics Minister Olaf Lies, and Wilhelmshaven Mayor Carsten Feist, along with representatives of the involved companies, attended the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony.

Vital element of decarbonization

Federal Minister Robert Habeck emphasized that a climate-neutral electricity system necessitates flexibility. He explained that this is why Germany is expanding its power grids and establishing connections with neighboring countries. According to Habeck, this electricity link is a vital element of decarbonization, which ensures the highest level of supply security, including across borders. Habeck also noted that both objectives must go hand in hand and highlighted that the robust German-British cooperation in this sector bodes well for future collaborative projects.

Connection along 720 km

NeuConnect links the transmission networks of Germany and Great Britain over approximately 720 km. The power line runs from the planned Isle of Grain substation in Kent to the Fedderwarden substation in Wilhelmshaven. It traverses the territories of Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Germany. The German segment of the line spans 193 km. In the North Sea, it is designed as a submarine cable, and on the German mainland, as an underground cable.

NeuConnect enhances the security of supply in both countries by facilitating the direct exchange of electricity. With a capacity of 1,4 GW, it can supply up to 1,5 million households with electricity. The line is expected to be operational by 2028.

Collaboration between Germany and Great Britain

Germany and Great Britain are committed to achieving climate neutrality by mid-century. On November 3, 2023, they reiterated their commitment to closer cooperation to ensure safe, clean, and affordable energy for consumers in both countries through a joint declaration of intent. The UK, with significant potential for offshore wind energy, plans to expand its installed capacity to 50 gigawatts by 2030. Consequently, green electricity will flow from the UK to Germany via Neu Connect. The investment costs are covered by an international consortium.

International investors

A privately financed project, Neu Connect is led by a consortium of international investors that include Meridiam (France), Allianz Capital Partners on behalf of Allianz insurance companies (Germany), and Kansai Electric Power (Japan).

Prysmian’s contract is worth around €1,2 billion, to be delivered over the coming years. Prysmian will provide 525 KV HVDC mass impregnated cables with paper insulation, plus fibre optic cables for land and selected submarine sections complemented with cable monitoring systems. It will also carry out monitoring, maintenance and services during the warranty period.