The Interconnexion France-Angleterre (IFA2) electricity transmission project has received all necessary consents in the UK, the country’s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) informed.
MMO has issued a comprehensive decision for the IFA2 project under the TEN-E Regulations, after it attained all of the required statutory consents in UK consenting regime.
The IFA2 interconnector is a 1,000MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) link, which will run from Normandy in France, to Hampshire in England.
The project is being carried out by National Grid IFA2 Ltd, and French state-owned company that manages and operates the transmission grid in the country Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE).
The proposed link will enable the electricity transmission between the countries, providing opportunities for shared use of renewable energy to help both countries meet domestic and international renewable and climate change targets.
Matthew Kinmond , MMO Senior Marine Licensing Manager, said: “This is the first comprehensive decision from the MMO under the TEN-E Regulations and the first in the UK for a cross-border and multiple consenting regime interconnector project. It represents a major milestone for the IFA2 project.”
Dave Luetchford , Head of IFA2 from National Grid, added: “Enhancing Great Britain’s energy connection to France will bring a number of benefits, including increasing security of electricity supplies for both countries and providing opportunities for shared use of renewable energy.”