Representation by National Grid Ventures (National Grid Ventures )
- Date submitted
- 18 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
This is a Relevant Representation submitted by National Grid Ventures (NGV) requesting that NGV are treated as an Interested Party throughout the Examination process of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application for The Sizewell C Project by NNB Nuclear Generation (SZC) Limited (PINS ref: EN010012). NGV is a ringfenced division of National Grid plc, responsible for both developing and operating businesses in our UK and US territories. NGV is proposing to develop two high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity Interconnector projects between Suffolk and Europe, the Nautilus and EuroLink Projects. NAUTILUS AND EUROLINK INTERCONNECTOR PROJECTS Both the proposed Nautilus and EuroLink Interconnector Projects have grid connection agreements in place with the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) to connect these projects at a new 400kV electricity substation located close to the existing Sizewell 400kV line, provisionally referred to as “Leiston 400kV.” NGV’s proposed Nautilus and EuroLink Interconnector Projects share the same connection offer location as SPR’s East Anglia ONE North and East Anglia TWO projects, both of which are currently subject to ongoing DCO applications. Each Interconnector project will involve the construction of an electricity converter station in each country and the installation of offshore and onshore underground (HVDC) cables between each converter station and underground high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables between the converter station and electricity substation in each country. The Nautilus Interconnector is a proposed HVDC electricity link between the British and Belgium transmission systems connecting between a substation in Suffolk and a substation in Belgium. On the 29th April 2019 NGV received a Direction by the Secretary of State under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008, confirming that the Nautilus Interconnector project would be treated as National Significant Infrastructure Project under the Development Consent Order regime. The EuroLink Project is a proposed HVDC electricity link between the British and Dutch transmission systems connecting between a substation in Suffolk and a substation in The Netherlands. NGV’S INTEREST IN THE SIZEWELL C PROJECT DCO APPLICATION NGV have identified potential site options for location of infrastructure required for the Nautilus and EuroLink projects including landfall sites, converter station sites and associated cable routes for each project. Further technical assessment, survey work and refinement is currently being undertaken and will need to be completed before NGV are ready to present options for non-statutory public consultation and progress to seek an EIA Scoping Opinion. Dependant on the location of preferred sites identified during NGVs assessment work, it may be necessary for NGV to discuss the opportunity for locating NGV’s infrastructure on land associated with the Sizewell C Project. NGV will continue to engage with Sizewell C and the Nautilus and EuroLink Interconnector Projects develop and throughout the Sizewell C Examination. Without prejudice, NGV may wish to participate during the Examination in relation to the interests we set out above. NGV reserve the right to make further comments through the Examination process. NGV welcomes engagement with NNB Nuclear Generation (SZC) Limited in relation to our common interests.