UK to join major wind farm project with nine European cou...

What’s Happening

Let’s talk about For the first time, the new wind farms will be connected to more than one country through undersea cables.

UK to join major wind farm project with nine European countries 2 days ago Save Justin Rowlatt Climate Editor Save AFP via The new project could link offshore wind farms in the North Sea to more than one country via interconnectors The UK is set to back a vast new fleet of offshore wind projects in the North Sea alongside nine other European countries including Norway, Germany and the Netherlands. The government says the deal will strengthen energy security escape from what it calls the “fossil fuel rollercoaster”. (and honestly, same)

For the first time, some of the new wind farms will be linked to multiple countries through undersea cables known as interconnectors, which stans say should lower prices across the region.

The Details

But it could prove controversial as wind farm operators would be able to shop around between countries to sell power to the highest bidder - potentially driving up electricity prices when supply is tight. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will sign a declaration on Monday at a meeting on the future of the North Sea in the German city of Hamburg, committing to complete the scheme by 2050.

Jane Cooper, deputy CEO of industry body RenewableUK, dropped the deal would “drive down costs for billpayers” as well as increasing “the energy security of the UK and the whole of the North Sea region majorly”. But Claire Countinho, shadow energy secretary, warned “we cannot escape the fact that the rush to build wind farms at breakneck speed is pushing up everybodys energy bills.

Why This Matters

” National Grid A valve hall inside a converter station that will form part of interconnector onshore infrastructure A network of undersea cables already connect the electricity grids of European countries - the UK has 10 such cables - but connecting wind farms directly to multiple countries will be a first. Most energy economists agree more connections between the UK and other European grids should reduce costs and improve the security of supply.

Scientists and researchers are watching this development closely.

The Bottom Line

This story is still developing, and we’ll keep you updated as more info drops.

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