IFA2 France-UK interconnector
English Channel, between Fareham (Hampshire, UK) and Tourbe (Normandy, France) · 2018–2020 (commissioned January 2021) · N/A (estimated £700 million, specific GBP value not readily available)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchStrengthens the integration and exchange of renewable energy between the UK and France, enhancing energy security and grid resilience. - The project highlights the complexities of cross-border energy infrastructure and the need for international collaboration. - The use of HVDC technology is crucial for efficient long-distance power transmission with minimal losses.
Key engineering challenges
Laying high-voltage DC cables on the seabed of the English Channel, a busy and environmentally sensitive area. - Constructing HVDC converter stations at both ends to convert AC to DC and vice versa. - Mitigating potential electromagnetic interference issues from the converter stations (e.g., using Faraday cages).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Grid (UK) and RTE (France)
- Lead contractor
- Prysmian Group (for cabling), Hitachi Energy (for HVDC converter stations)
- Lead designers
- N/A
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 1 GW (1000 MW) capacity; 240 km high-voltage DC (HVDC) subsea cable
- Disciplines
- electrical; civil; marine; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- N/A
Sources: National Grid: https://www.nationalgrid.com/ifa2-interconnector/connecting-britain-to-clean-energy - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFA-2 - Prysmian Group: https://www.prysmian.com/en/insight/projects/prysmian-achieve-milestone-ifa2-uk-france-interconnector-project - Hitachi Energy: https://www.hitachienergy.com/us/en/news-and-events/customer-stories/ifa2