Representation by Derek Burles
- Date submitted
- 12 September 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
Concentrated energy generation and the risk to UK energy security Completed in 1986, the Converter Station in Church Lane, Aldington has developed into one of the most significant parts of the UK energy infrastructure. One of two (the other is close to Calais) such stations, it is linked by a 2000MW high voltage, direct current interconnector (known as IFA1), which enables the UK and France to import or export electricity. Today, the Converter Station is able to deliver 4.5% of the UK Peak Power Demand, almost equivalent to the Dungeness B Nuclear Reactors. In addition, the on-site ElecLink Interconnector adds a further 2.3%, contributing to a total of 6.8% of the peak demand from the UK power grid*, assuming there are no other such activities onsite. According to the characteristics of the entire UK power generating system, this level, if compromised, is considered to be ‘critical’ in terms of the potential loss of power nationally. It is a level at which government scrutiny and intervention would be expected. *Source: ESO, 2023 Review – Britain’s electricity explained. Highest demand 23-01-23, 17.30, 44GW. The risk of energy concentration in Church Lane, Aldington The last major disruption to the UK’s national power supply was on 9th August 2019, most likely the result of a lightning strike in Cambridge, resulted in a sudden loss of energy, equivalent to less than 2/3rds the size of the Converter Station’s capacity, the scale of which gave rise to energy supply problems throughout the UK. Thus concluding that utilising the Church Lane location for further energy generation projects such as solar arrays and battery storage is building a single point of failure into the UK’s Energy Security, far greater than that which has historically compromised our infrastructure, such as in 2019. The Government’s push for the development of renewable energy was intended to support the concept of energy security. Given the existing concentration in Church Lane - let alone the increased risk represented by planned developments such as Stonestreet Green Solar - far from increasing energy security, it runs the risk of jeopardising our security, with significant and damaging consequences for our commercial and domestic interests. Have these risks and considerations been identified, considered and mitigated against? ENDS