The Nemo Link® interconnector Project Update

The Nemo Interconnector will consist of subsea and underground cables connected to a converter station and an electricity substation in each country, which will allow electricity to flow in either direction between the two countries. Nemo Link proposes to build the converter station and electricity substation on an 8 hectare site, formerly occupied by the Richborough Power Station, which now forms part of the Richborough Energy Park proposals. A similar converter station and substation will be built in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

What is an interconnector?

An interconnector is a connection between the electricity transmission systems of different countries, in this case via subsea cables. An interconnector provides the opportunity to trade electricity with other countries, thus helping to ensure a safe, secure and affordable energy supply to the UK.

What is a converter station?

A converter station converts electricity between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC). AC is used in each country’s transmission systems, while DC is used for sending electricity along the subsea cable. It is intended that the framework of the former turbine hall of the Richborough Power Station will be reused to form part of the converter station building. The maximum height will be approximately 30 metres. Some smaller ancillary buildings will also be constructed to house essential equipment.

What is a substation?

A new substation will be needed to connect the Nemo Interconnector to the UK’s transmission system. The substation will require both indoor and outdoor electrical equipment and will be separately fenced from the converter station site. The maximum height of the outdoor electrical equipment and the building containing the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS Hall) will be approximately 15 metres.

A connection between the substation and the existing National Grid transmission system will also be required. This connection project is still in early development and does not form part of this planning application. The connection will be the subject of a separate public consultation process for core stakeholders and local communities to have their say, and provide feedback on the proposals, including a public consultation in the spring of next year.

Richborough Connection

A connection between the substation and the existing UK transmission system will also be required. This connection project is still in early development and does not form part of this planning application.

The connection will be the subject of a separate public consultation for the local community, and interested organisations to have their say, and provide their thoughts and views on the proposals.

Nemo Link® is proposing to construct an electrical interconnector between the UK and Belgium known as the Nemo Link® interconnector. It is a joint project between National Grid Nemo Link Limited and Elia from Belgium. The project will give both countries improved reliability and access to electricity and sustainable generation.

Energy security: Interconnectors play a crucial role in the European Union’s strategy to achieve a competitive and integrated European energy market. By allowing the UK and Belgium to trade power, the Nemo Link® interconnector will increase security and diversify both countries’ electricity supply.

Electricity prices: Greater opportunities for the UK to trade with wider European energy markets will contribute to downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.

Supporting renewables: To meet international and domestic renewable and climate change targets, the UK and Belgium will generate more power from renewable sources, including offshore wind. By its nature, wind generation is intermittent and interconnectors provide an effective way to manage these fluctuations in supply and demand.

Why is an interconnector required?

Why Belgium and the UK?

• Belgium’s electricity transmission system is highly connected to Central Europe. The Nemo Link® interconnector will therefore provide greater opportunities for the UK to trade with wider European power markets.

• The intermittent character of wind generation, currently being developed in the UK, triggers a need for new interconnectors between the UK and the European continent.

• The distance between the UK and Belgium is relatively short, which minimises the length of the subsea cables.

• Belgium offers a new and robust point of connection to the European electricity network.

Why South East England?

• South East England offers the shortest route between the two countries, and therefore reduces the costs, environmental impacts and construction risks associated with the installation of subsea cables.

• The South East region (including London) is a high centre of electricity demand in the UK.

• A robust needs case concluded that the former Richborough Power Station site offers both a feasible subsea cable route and an appropriate site for the converter station.

Why Zeebrugge?

• The high voltage grid in the coastal area of Belgium has insufficient capacity to satisfy important future needs in and around the Port of Zeebrugge. Several offshore wind farms are being developed off the coast of Zeebrugge and will be connected to Belgian transmission system in this area.

• To be able to connect these new developments to the transmission system, Elia is planning a reinforcement of the 380 kV system between Zomergem and Zeebrugge, including a new substation in Zeebrugge.

• This makes Zeebrugge an ideal place for the installation of the converter station that will be connected directly to the new substation. Moreover, an extended environmental study concluded that the former military sites are a suitable location for the substation and the converter station.

Locations

In addition to considering the land options available for the location of the converter station, factors affecting the routing of the subsea cables have also been considered, including:

• Physical environment: Where possible, areas of rock, boulder clay and sand waves will be avoided as these can create difficulties in burying the cable.

• Biological environment: The shortest cable route across designated conservation areas will be taken to minimise disturbance to the marine biological environment.

• Human environment: Careful consideration of the route has been given to avoid all anchorage areas, dredging areas, existing marine disposal areas, wrecks, oil and gas infrastructure and offshore wind farms.

As part of the site selection process, options were identified for the landfall of the subsea cables and the route of the onshore underground cables considering:

• Subsea cables landing technique

• Coastal geology

• Coastal processes

• Beach gradient

• Environmental sensitivity (such as nature conservation)

• Rivers and watercourses

• Existing infrastructure

• Access

Land in the vicinity of the service station at Pegwell Bay, close to where the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm cables come ashore, was identified as the preferred option for the landfall. Once onshore, the underground cables will be routed through the Pegwell Bay Country Park and beneath the road from BayPoint Sports Complex (former Pfizer sports ground) to the Richborough site.

In Zeebrugge, the preferred landfall was identified to be west of the existing landfalls of the Belwind and Northwind wind farms and the UK-Belgium Gas Interconnector. The landfalls of the future wind farms have also been taken into account.

Selecting the cable route

Nemo Link® is committed to minimising effects on the local community and ensuring that residents are kept informed of its proposals throughout the planning and construction stages of the project.

Modern design technologies and materials will be used to minimise the visual impact, and also to contain noise during operation. Noise will be continually monitored during the construction and operational phases in accordance with the local authorities’ requirements.

Traffic impacts will be short term and traffic management and monitoring measures will ensure that highway safety and amenity will not be adversely affected.

Works will be timed to avoid adverse effects on wildlife and the creation of native chalk grassland will increase the biological interest of Pegwell Bay Country Park.

Will the work affect me?

Proposed substation and converter station plan at the former Richborough Power Station site

UK Timeline

Drwg No

Drawn

Scale

AJG SC

NTS @ A1

D2700.047J

Checked

Title

Proposed Converter Station and SubstationIsometric

Nemo Link

IJG

18/07/2012Approved

Date

Genesis CentreBirchwood Science Park WarringtonWA3 7BHTel 01925 844004Fax 01925 844002e-mail tep@tep.uk.com

Project

Converter Station Valve Hall(existing building frame)

Converter Station Valve Hall(new extension)

Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) Building

Super Grid Transformers (SGT)

Converter Transformers

Amenity Building

Control Room

Mechanically Switched Capacitor (MSC)

Planning Drawing 22

Mechanically Switched Capacitor (MSC)

Gantries

Shunt Reactor

Fire Water Tank

Fire Water Pump House

Car Park

Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Building

Storage Units

Spares Building

Distribution Operator Building (DNO)

Static Var Compensator (SVC)

Fire Water Tank

Diesel GeneratorNote:Layout and position of converter station andsubstation buildings and equipment to beconfirmed at Reserved Matters stage

Converter station main hall, main hallextensions and substation GIS building shownare equal to the maximum height and floorspace parameters detailed on PlanningDrawing 21

2012/13 Winter 2012/13 Submission of planning/consent applications Converter station2014 Engineering design2015 Site preparation2016 Construction begins2018 Summer: Construction completed Substation2014 Engineering design2015 Site Preparation2016 Construction begins2018 Autumn: Commissioning

Contact us

Project partners

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Nemo Link® interconnector further, please contact us in one of the following ways:

Call us on Freephone 0800 083 3149 between 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday (an answerphone service is available

outside these core hours)

Email us at nemointerconnector@communitycomms.co.uk

Visit our website at www.nemo-link.com

Write to us at: Freepost RSLG-YXEU-BJUC, Nemo Link, PO BOX 68215, London, SW1P 9UJ

National Grid Nemo Link Limited

National Grid Nemo Link Limited is a part of National Grid Plc, a major UK company which owns and manages gas and electricity infrastructure in the UK and in the north eastern US. The group holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system, joining everything up.

To meet rising energy demands, National Grid links the UK electricity transmission system to other countries’ networks via interconnectors. Links with France, known as IFA (Interconnexion France Angleterre), and the Netherlands, known as BritNed, have already been developed.

Elia

Elia is Belgium’s transmission system operator, operating over 8,000 km of lines and underground cables throughout Belgium. The company transmits electricity from generators to distribution systems, which in turn deliver it to homes, factories, offices and hospitals. Elia is also responsible for transporting electricity to and from neighbouring countries. In 2010 Elia expanded its activities in Europe and, following its acquisition of German System Operator 50Hertz in cooperation with Industry Funds Management (IFM), is now one of the top five transmission system operators in Europe.