Build July (2016)

Build Magazine 79 Products & Innovation Not forgetting the complex engineering works required to develop the UK converter station and electricity substation on an eight hectare site formerly occupied by the Richborough Power Station, and the same in Belgium. Showing potential Interconnectors are a viable, proven and reliable way to protect the future of energy security in the UK. And they are not without strong support. In 2014 the chief executive of National Grid said energy prices for British consumers would fall by £1billion every year if electricity interconnectors between continental Europe and the UK were doubled by 2020. That same year, Richard Howard, head of energy and environment for leading think-tank Policy Exchange, spoke about their green credentials too; highlighting the potential to decarbonise our own grid by linking to lower carbon producers such as Norway, Iceland and France. And in March of this year, a report from the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) said “more connections to cheap, green power supplies, such as Norway and Iceland, could bring great benefits to the UK. It called on the government to “redouble its efforts to open new connections.” Through design, engineering and construction excellence, interconnectors can lower electricity supply prices, lower the cost of delivering security of supply and support the decarbonisation of energy supplies to support national targets. It is a win-win situation for us all.