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AQUIND Interconnector

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AQUIND Interconnector[1]
Location
CountryFrance, United Kingdom
General directionNorth-south
FromLe Havre, France
Passes throughEnglish Channel
ToPortsmouth, England
Construction information
Construction startedRefused permission by UK Government January 2022[2]
Technical information
TypeSubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Power rating2000 MW
DC voltage320kV

The AQUIND Interconnector is a proposed HVDC submarine power cable proposed to link France and England.[1][3][4]

Independent research carried out in Portsmouth by Savanta indicates significant public support for the project [5]

Strong public support for the project was reported in a number of Energy industry publications in 2024. [6] [7] [8]

The project has faced local opposition and attracted controversy due to claims regarding its environmental impact and links between the company's backers and the Conservative Party.[9][10]

A decision on the project is currently awaited from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Under the previous Government, the project was refused by then Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng in January 2022. This decision was subsequently overturned by judicial review in the High Court and a new decision is currently awaited from the UK Government.

Route

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The cable is proposed to run between the Lovedean substation in Hampshire in England to the Barnabos substation in the Normandy region of France.[1][3] Landfall is proposed at Eastney in Portsmouth (UK), and Pourville in Seine-Maritime (France).[11] The route is 242 km (150 miles) long, with 187 km (116 miles) under the sea, 25 km (16 miles) on land in the UK and 30 km (19 miles) on land in France.[1]

Specification

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The HVDC link would consist of four main cables, together with two much thinner fibre optic cables for operational control and communications.[1] HVDC involves lower transmission losses than the conventional alternating current (AC) technology used in most existing electricity networks. Land cables would be laid mainly under existing roads to minimize the environmental impact of the development.

The link was to be built as two separate 1,000 MW circuits, each with its own control and protection systems and auxiliary power supplies.[3] The DC circuits would run at 320 kV, and operate as symmetrical monopoles.[1] The project is expected to cost £1.1 billion.[1]

Controversy

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Protesters on the steps of Portsmouth Guildhall in May 2021

Campaigners and local MPs have urged the cancellation of the project.[12][13] The Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan claims that the cable and its associated data connections pose a risk to UK national security.[14] The Guardian newspaper reported that the promoters of the project, Viktor Fedotov and Alexander Temerko, are both substantial donors to the Conservative party and MPs, and that "Three Conservative ministers have already had to recuse themselves from the decision-making process over the Aquind undersea cable because of their links to the company." Almost 10% of MPs have received donations from companies linked to Fedotov.[15] The minister and peer Martin Callanan was a former director of Aquind and another peer, James Wharton is a consultant to the company.[16]

In October 2021, AQUIND vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and stated that it would "not stand silently and accept slander based on xenophobia and the principles of guilt by association." The company stated that it was considering taking legal action against the media involved.[17]

After the development had been refused in January 2022, Temerko described Minister of State for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt, who had represented constituents' concerns with the development, as an "absolutely uncontrollable woman" and a "threat to national security". Mordaunt subsequently said the Conservative Party’s code of conduct should apply to all members, including donors, and suggested that party colleagues should not accept funds from Temerko. Aquind and Temerko had donated £1.1 million to the Conservative Party, including to 21 MPs and ministers.[18][19]

In spite of attracting criticism from some political figures - independent research reported in a number of Energy industry publications in 2024 indicates strong public support for the project locally. Despite the potential electric energy savings being a negligible £3.15 a year. [6] [7] [8]

History

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When the project was announced in June 2016, the company said that the project would come online in 2021.[20]

In July 2019, Portsmouth Council formally objected to the plans, on the grounds that they would cause unacceptable disruption in a built-up area.[21] Between February and April 2019, the company undertook a statutory consultation exercise.[22] In November 2019, Aquind submitted a formal planning application for the link in the UK.[23]

In June 2020, Aquind submitted to Ofgem and the Commission de Régulation de l'Energie (CRE) a request for partial exemption from Articles 19(2) and 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 concerning Use of Revenues obligations, for a period of 25 years from the start of commercial operations. In December 2020, Ofgem and CRE published a joint consultation document; this consultation was intended to close on 29 January 2021. In January 2021, the CRE and Ofgem announced that they had discontinued a public consultation for the AQUIND Interconnector, as this exemption request process is only available to interconnector projects developed between EU member states, the UK ceased to be a member state and the Brexit transition period had ended.[24]

In October 2020, there was a protest against the project in Portsmouth.[25]

In November 2020, Aquind won an appeal in the General Court of the European Union against the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators' (ACER) decision to reject an application for exemption pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 714/2009.[26]

On 26 January 2021, the French authorities in Normandy refused to give the project the green light.[27]

In March 2021, the examination by Portsmouth City Council closed.[28]

In May 2021, there was another protest in Portsmouth. The Conservative MP for Portsmouth North, Penny Mordaunt, called the proposals "sinister". The Labour MP for Portsmouth South, Stephen Morgan, also voiced his opposition.[29] The following month, Mordaunt handed in a petition against the project. Another protest was planned for July 2021.[30]

A final decision by the British government on whether to permit construction was postponed several times. On 21 October 2021, the business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng set a new deadline of 21 January 2022 for deciding on the planning application.[31][32]

After the decision in January 2021 by the French regional government in Normandy to refuse permission,[27] the company stated that this "does not prevent AQUIND from securing the relevant French planning consents required to construct and operate AQUIND Interconnector".[33]

In October 2021, after growing criticism, the company vowed to "continue the development of the AQUIND Interconnector project".[17]

On 20 January 2022, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng refused permission for the project, stating that he was not satisfied that "more appropriate alternatives to the proposed route" had been fully considered.[2] In November 2022, that ruling by the Business Secretary was the subject of a judicial review at the High Court brought by Aquind Ltd. Justice Lieven has reserved her decision.[34]

In January 2023, the decision by Kwasi Kwarteng to block the cable was overturned by judicial review.[35]

Whilst some local MPs and the local campaign group Stop AQUIND reasserted their opposition to the plans, [36] public support for the project has since been reported in a number of industry publications. [6] [7] [8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "AQUIND Interconnector". 4Coffshore. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Aquind cross-Channel cable permission refused by government". BBC News. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "AQUIND Interconnector". Aquind. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. ^ "TYNDP 2020 Project Collection". ENTSO-E.
  5. ^ Savanta - Portsmouth Polling, 9 July 2024
  6. ^ a b c Johnson, Thomas (July 11, 2024). "Majority of Portsmouth residents support construction of £1.35bn Aquind interconnector".
  7. ^ a b c "Portsmouth shows strong support for AQUIND's interconnector link". 4c Offshore.
  8. ^ a b c "Portsmouth Voices Strong Support for AQUIND's Interconnector Link". Energy Business Review.
  9. ^ George Greenwood; Emmanuele Midolo (25 November 2021). "Anne-Marie Trevelyan 'risked misleading parliament by omission' over energy project lobbying" (Newspaper). The Times. Retrieved 29 November 2021. a controversial energy project
  10. ^ Harry Davies; Rowena Mason; Jillian Ambrose; Andrew Roth (4 October 2021). "Russian tycoon's link to alleged corruption in leaked files raises questions for Tory ministers". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 November 2021. Aquind's project has already been mired in controversy
  11. ^ "Une étude environnementale validée pour le projet Aquind près de Dieppe". actu.fr (in French). 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-07-30.
  12. ^ "Aquind: Portsmouth MPs and grassroots campaigners urge business secretary to refuse interconnector". The News. Portsmouth, England. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Portsmouth protesters march against Aquind Cross-Channel cable". BBC News. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Aquind Cross-Channel cable a security risk, says MP". BBC News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ Jessica Elgot (10 October 2021). "Kwasi Kwarteng accused of misleading claims over power cable project". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  16. ^ Ambrose, Jillian; Davies, Harry (10 March 2021). "Tory donor takes control of firm seeking UK approval to build cross-Channel cable". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  17. ^ a b "AQUIND Refutes Recent Allegations in the Media". AQUIND. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. ^ Mason, Rowena (11 March 2022). "Penny Mordaunt suggests colleagues should not take funds from Tory donor". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  19. ^ Greenwood, George; Midolo, Emanuele (12 March 2022). "Tory donor threatens to sue Penny Mordaunt for criticising £1bn power plan". The Times. London. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  20. ^ Kelly, Jane-Frances (13 June 2016). "UK to double French energy supplies with new cable". BBC News. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Council deals interconnector firm blow after opposing plans for cables from France to Portsmouth". The News. Portsmouth, England. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  22. ^ "AQUIND launches statutory consultation on proposals for AQUIND Interconnector". Aquind Consultation. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Cross-Channel £1.1bn electricity link plan submitted by Aquind". BBC News. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  24. ^ Russell, Tom (28 January 2021). "CRE and Ofgem discontinue public consultation for Aquind". 4C Offshore. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  25. ^ "Portsmouth protest over Aquind Cross-Channel electricity link plan". BBC News. 10 October 2020.
  26. ^ "Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) 18 November 2020". InfoCuria Case-law. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  27. ^ a b "French authorities reject UK-France cross-Channel cable work". BBC News. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  28. ^ "Aquind interconnector examination closes". Portsmouth City Council. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  29. ^ Deeks, Steve (23 May 2021). "Protesters voice opposition to controversial Aquind interconnector plans with symbolic line of defiance stretching a mile in Milton". The News. Portsmouth, England. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  30. ^ Fishwick, Ben (14 June 2021). "Portsmouth MP delivers petition signed by 'thousands' against Aquind ahead of protest in Eastney". The News. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Statement made by Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy". Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Aquind cross-Channel cable decision postponed". BBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  33. ^ "AQUIND Interconnector is set to benefit from new regulatory frameworks established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement for implementing infrastructure necessary to achieve Net Zero targets". AQUIND. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  34. ^ "Aquind Ltd brings judicial review against Channel cable decision". BBC News. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  35. ^ "UK must review decision to block UK-France power cable project - court ruling". euronews. 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  36. ^ "Aquind: Government loses bid to block cross-Channel electricity cable". BBC News - UK politics. BBC. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
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