Nemo Link, the first ever power cable between the UK and Belgium, has today reported outstanding performance figures as it celebrates its first full year of operation.
The subsea cable has been available to import or export power more than 96% of the time in the last 12 months, making it one of the highest performing assets of its kind in the world.
Stretching 80 miles from Bruges on the Belgian coast to Richborough in Kent, Nemo Link is a joint venture between National Grid and the Belgian electricity transmission system operator, Elia. The link started operations on January 31, 2019, offering a range of products that enable energy traders to move electricity back and forth between the two countries.
With a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, Nemo Link was the first subsea HVDC project in the world to use cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) technology.
Nemo Link is also the first channel interconnector to offer power traders the ability to buy capacity closer to real time through hourly nomination gates. This closer to real time service allows market participants to respond quickly to sudden changes in supply and demand, thereby reducing the potential for spikes in power prices.
Electricity flows have been primarily in the direction of the UK over the last 12 months, with 5889.4GW hours of energy being imported into the UK and 175.9GW hours to Belgium.
Jon Butterworth, President of National Grid Ventures, said: 'We've seen in the last year how Nemo Link has used innovative new technology and market services to bring significant benefits to Belgian and British energy consumers.
'By enabling the market to react immediately to rapid changes in supply and demand, Nemo helps to better balance an energy system that is more reliant on intermittent wind and solar energy.
'In the coming years, interconnectors like Nemo will play an increasingly important role as we look to share renewable energy resources across borders to help the UK and Europe reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.'
Markus Berger, Director of Infrastructure at Elia, said: 'We are delighted to mark our one-year anniversary by announcing that the Interconnector Nemo Link has performed exceptionally well.
'The advanced technology used for this cable is unprecedented in the world. We have designed and provided a resilient and efficient interconnection which guarantees available power when needed.
'The interconnector facilitates the transition to a sustainable and affordable electrical system and improves the guarantees for security of supply. It offers additional possibilities for Belgium and positions it even more like a real European electrical hub.'
Nemo Link is National Grid's third interconnector to Europe. The company already has operational interconnectors to France (IFA), the Netherlands (BritNed). Three further projects are under construction to France (IFA2, operational 2020), Norway (North Sea Link, operational 2021), and Denmark (Viking Link, operational 2023).
By 2030, 90% of electricity imported via National Grid's interconnectors will be from zero carbon sources.
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About National Grid Ventures
National Grid Ventures (NGV) is the competitive division of National Grid plc, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. NGV operates outside of National Grid's core regulated businesses in the US and UK where it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of a clean energy future. NGV's diverse portfolio of low carbon and renewable energy businesses across the UK, Europe and US includes sub-sea interconnectors, liquefied natural gas, battery storage, wind and solar power.
Notes to Editors
National Grid is pivotal to the energy systems in the UK and the north eastern United States. We aim to serve customers well and efficiently, supporting the communities in which we operate and making possible the energy systems of the future.
National Grid in the UK:
We own and operate the electricity transmission network in England and Wales, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. We also operate, but do not own, the Scottish networks. Our networks comprise approximately 7,200 kilometres (4,474 miles) of overhead line, 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) of underground cable and 342 substations.
We own and operate the gas National Transmission System in Great Britain, with day-to-day responsibility for balancing supply and demand. Our network comprises approximately 7,660 kilometres (4,760 miles) of high-pressure pipe and 618 above-ground installations.
As Great Britain's System Operator (SO) we make sure gas and electricity is transported safely and efficiently from where it is produced to where it is consumed. From April 2019, Electricity System Operator (ESO) is a new standalone business within National Grid, legally separate from all other parts of the National Grid Group. This will provide the right environment to deliver a balanced and impartial ESO that can realise real benefits for consumers as we transition to a more decentralised, decarbonised electricity system.
Other UK activities mainly relate to businesses operating in competitive markets outside of our core regulated businesses; including interconnectors, gas metering activities and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) importation terminal - all of which are now part of National Grid Ventures. National Grid Property is responsible for the management, clean-up and disposal of surplus sites in the UK. Most of these are former gas works.
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.
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