AQUIND Interconnector

Project information

Latest update - 25 March 2024

The Ministry of Defence has provided a response to the Secretary of State's letter of 9 February 2024 (PDF, 98KB) and stated that its representations relate to significant national security concerns. The MOD has explained that its representations cannot be finalised and submitted until a process has been developed which allows the concerns to be considered within the planning process in a manner consistent with their sensitive nature. Once this is resolved, the MOD has requested a further 6 weeks to finalise its representations. In light of this, the Secretary of State will consider the next steps on the process.

Separately, the Secretary of State has been made aware that a computer error, caused by the transfer of the AQUIND application's project page to the Planning Inspectorate's beta service, mistakenly displayed that a decision had been made on the application. The Secretary of State has been informed that the computer error and subsequent update were linked to the original decision of 2022. The Secretary of State can confirm that no decision has been made on the re-determination of the application and the error has been corrected.

View all updates.

About the project

Type of application: Electric Lines

Name of applicant: AQUIND Limited

Development of AQUIND Interconnector with a nominal net capacity of 2000MW between Great Britain and France located off the coast of Portsmouth offshore and between Portsmouth and Lovedean substation onshore.

View the developer's website

Project stage

This project is at the decision stage.

Pre-application

This is where the applicant starts to create their application. The applicant is required to consult with people and organisations in the area. They must also create detailed documents about the impact the project could have on the environment.

It is important to get involved at this stage to influence the application before the applicant sends it to the Planning Inspectorate.

Find out what you can do at this stage and check our detailed guides.
Completed
Acceptance

This is when the applicant sends us their application documents. We check if we can accept the application for examination. We have 28 days to make this decision.

How the acceptance stage works and what happens next.
Completed
Pre-examination

The Examining Authority is appointed and is made up of one or more inspectors. Anyone who wants to have their say needs to register at this stage.

The applicant must publish that the application has been accepted by us. They include when and how parties can register to get involved. The time period for registering is set by the applicant but must be no less than 28 days.

The pre-examination stage usually takes about 3 months.

What happens during the pre-examination stage.
Completed
Examination

The Examining Authority will ask questions about the proposed development. The applicant and anyone who has registered to have their say can get involved and submit comments at each deadline in the timetable. You can also attend hearings that may take place. This stage takes up to 6 months.

What happens at the examination stage?
Completed
Recommendation

The Examining Authority writes its recommendation report. This must be completed and sent to the relevant Secretary of State within 3 months of the end of examination stage.

Making a recommendation.
Completed
Decision

The decision stage is when the relevant Secretary of State then reviews the report and makes the final decision. They have 3 months to make a decision.

Who makes the final decision.
In progress
What happens after the decision is made

Once the Secretary of State has made a decision, there is a 6 week period where people can challenge the decision in the high court. This is called a judicial review.

What you can do after the decision has been made.
Not started

Project location

From the UK seaward limit in the English Channel to Lovedean Substation.


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Contact us

Telephone

If you have an interested party number, have it with you when you call.

Telephone: 0303 444 5000
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (except bank holidays)

Email

aquind@planninginspectorate.gov.uk.

When writing an email, quote the name of the project in the subject line.

We aim to respond within 10 working days.

Alternative formats

Call or email to ask for project documents in alternative formats such as PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.