Green light for new power cable between Belgium and the UK

The UK energy regulator has approved Nautilus, a new undersea high-voltage power link between Belgium and the UK, Belgian electricity transmission operator Elia reported on Tuesday.

Elia, in partnership with the UK’s National Grid, is moving forward with the Nautilus interconnector, a project described by Elia as a “crucial step” in bringing offshore wind power from the UK to Belgium. The hybrid interconnector will transport energy generated by British offshore wind farms to Belgium and will link the British coast with Belgium’s artificial energy hub, the Princess Elisabeth Island, currently under construction off the Belgian coast.

The 1.4-gigawatt Nautilus interconnector will supplement Belgium’s existing NemoLink power cable with the UK, which has a capacity of 1 gigawatt. Outgoing Belgian energy minister Tinne Van der Straeten hailed Nautilus as “key to decarbonizing our society,” highlighting Belgium’s need for access to the extensive offshore wind resources in the North Sea.

In recent years, Belgium has ramped up North Sea energy cooperation with the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and the UK, aiming to quadruple its offshore wind capacity to 6 gigawatt by 2030 and 8 gigawatt by 2040. This cross-border collaboration seeks to enhance Europe’s energy self-sufficiency and shield consumers from high prices.

(JPO)

^{Elia’s MOG (Modular Offshore Grid) platform, an electricity hub for four wind farms, in the North Sea © BELGA PHOTO POOL ERIC HERCHAFT}