Being developed by Aquind, the privately-funded interconnector is designed to add additional capacity of 2GW to the UK power grid.
Scheduled to be commissioned in 2021, the subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission line will connect northern France's nuclear-powered electricity grid to southern England.
Aquind non-executive director Lord Callanan said: "The UK needs affordable, reliable new capacity. Interconnectors offer just that and we are looking forward to progressing to the next phase of development.
"Furthermore, our interconnector will be online quickly – in five to six years – while the alternatives being discussed, such as new nuclear generation, can take more than ten years.”
Aquind expects the interconnector to contribute to lower energy prices while reducing the country’s per capita carbon footprint.
UK’s Minister of State for Energy Baroness Neville-Rolfe said: "We are building an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century and interconnection will play an important part in this.
"Interconnectors can help to keep bills down and guarantee our energy security. We look forward to Aquind, and other new projects, coming forward and demonstrating how they can benefit consumers."
The interconnector, which will run from Lovedean near Portsmouth to the area north of Rouen in Normandy, will transmit approximately 16,000,000MWh of cleaner electricity annually, enough to power 4,000,000 homes.
Expected to create up to 500 jobs during the construction phase, the cable will help ensure additional security and diversity of energy supply in the country.
Image: The UK intends to add additional power capacity to its grid to meet growing power demand. Photo: courtesy of duron123/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
