National Grid: Capacity

Lord Craig of Radley Excerpts

Monday 11th January 2021 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Speaker (Lord Fowler)]

We will continue for a further 60 seconds because of the earlier problem.

[Lord Craig of Radley (CB) [V]]

My Lords, will increased electricity demand require a national grid to place greater reliance on existing submarine power supplies from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and/or southern Ireland? What impact on cost arises following the UK’s departure from the European Union? Will this lead to reconsideration of the future interconnector links planned with Norway and Denmark?

[Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con)]

Interconnection remains an important part of the UK’s energy strategy, delivering lower costs, increased energy security and better integrated low-carbon generation. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for new, efficient electricity trading arrangements over these interconnectors, making electricity more affordable for consumers. Future projects to Norway and Denmark are under construction, with the North Sea link due to complete in autumn this year, and the Viking link due for completion in late 2023.