Elia, the Belgian electricity transmission system operator, and National Grid have signed a joint venture agreement to move ahead with the Nemo Link – the first electricity interconnector between the two countries.
When completed the interconnector will provide 1000 MW of capacity . The link will run 140 kilometres between Richborough on the Kent coast and Herdersbrug, near Zeebrugge with a combination of undersea and underground cables. Electricity will flow in either direction between the two countries. The link means both countries can use renewable electricity more effectively, allowing excess generation to be exported. This new interconnector will increase the amount of capacity available through interconnectors by 25%. It’s anticipated that Nemo Link will go into commercial operation in 2019.