The UK and the Netherlands have announced plans for the construction of "the largest multi-use electric cable in the world", as both countries continue their efforts to strengthen their energy security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
The cable, entitled LionLink, will connect the Netherlands to the UK, and will also link to offshore wind farms in the North Sea. According to British Government estimates, upon its completion in 2030 LionLink will provide enough electricity for up to 1.8 million British households: "more homes than in Greater Manchester and Birmingham combined."
The cable will be only the second of its kind anywhere in the world, after a similar one linking Germany and Denmark to offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea was completed in 2020. However, LionLink is expected to carry up to four times more electricity (1.8 GW vs 0.4 GW).
'For the benefit of both nations'
British Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps praised the deal, claiming that it would "consign the likes of Putin and his hold on global energy markets to the dustbin of history" and reduce British citizens' energy costs.
"Today's new LionLink interconnector project [will] use our strong and historic ties with the Netherlands to boost our trade of cheap, clean energy across the North Sea — enough to power more homes than in Greater Manchester and Birmingham combined — for the benefit of both nations," he said. "And ultimately, this will help cut people's bills into the bargain."
Shapps' words were echoed by Dutch Energy and Climate Minister Rob Jetten. "LionLink provides close to 2 gigawatts of electricity to both countries, enough to power 2 million households," he said. "This new connection further boosts energy security and energy independence in Europe."
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He added: "Close collaboration on offshore wind energy and interconnection amongst the North Sea countries is imperative. So in case there is a surplus of wind-generated electricity, it can be shared instantly to locations with a shortage of power, and vice versa."
The announcement of LionLink's planned construction comes as Shapps is set to attend the North Sea Summit in Ostend on Monday. The Summit will bring together representatives from nine Western European countries — namely Belgium, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Ireland, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and the Netherlands — to discuss the future of wind energy and the broader issue of energy security.
