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Electricity Interconnectors: EU Countries

Question for Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

UIN 124943, tabled on 18 February 2022

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how his Department is working with European Member States to develop pathfinder projects for multi-purpose interconnectors.

Answered on

28 February 2022

The Government has been taking several steps to support the development of multi-purpose interconnectors, including as pathfinder projects under the Offshore Transmission Network Review.

The Government secured a commitment to create a specific forum for technical discussions, including on multi-purpose interconnectors, in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Discussions are now underway to establish this forum, with a view to agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding that is acceptable to both sides as soon as possible.

In September 2021, the Government signed a treaty with Norway on Cross-Border Trade in Electricity and Cooperation on Electricity Interconnection.

On 23 February 2022 the Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Belgium, agreeing to cooperate in the field of electricity interconnection, including exploring new opportunities like that of the proposed Nautilus Multi-Purpose Interconnector between the UK and Belgium.

Answered by

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy