NPF2 Action Programme – Action 28

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Action

Promote the development of a sub-sea electricity transmission super grid.

NPF2 Paragraph Reference

162, 238, Map 9

Contribution to NPF Strategy

  • Helps realise the potential of renewable energy resources and facilitates the generation of power and heat from clean, low carbon sources.

  • Expands opportunities for communities and businesses by promoting environmental quality and good connectivity.

  • Supports strong, sustainable growth for the benefit of all parts of Scotland.

  • Helps to reduce Scotland's carbon footprint and facilitates adaptation to climate change

Milestones

Post 2009 - Feasibility studies.

2009 - 2012 Liaison between Scottish, Norwegian, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Assembly Governments to investigate potential for developing sub-sea supergrid to harness marine energy resources and transmit the electricity generated to major continental European markets.

Post 2012 - Further assessment in NPF3.

Lead Partner(s)/Delivery Bodies

Scottish Government (Energy Consents)
Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland Assembly, Norwegian Government, the European Commission, Crown Estate, Local Authorities, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise Highlands and Islands, SNH , SEPA, Planning Authorities, Strategic Development Planning Authorities
Progress

The Scottish Government is working with the UK Government to take forward this work in the context of the European Commission North Sea Grid Group, the British Irish Council grid workstream and specifically with Irish and Northern Irish Government colleagues through the Irish Scottish Links in Electricity Study project on offshore grid connections.

February 01, 2011 - Proposals for a subsea electricity cable linking Scotland to Norway will be examined, First Minister Alex Salmond announced. SSE Interconnector, a subsidiary of Scottish and Southern Energy, is signing a partnership agreement with three Norwegian utilities, Adger Energi, E-Co Energi and Lyse, and Sweden's Vattenfall to examine the feasibility of building an interconnector between the UK and Norway. A number of options are bring explored but due to a technical preference for the shortest route, North East Scotland is a leading location.

Page updated: Tuesday, July 05, 2011