About Nautilus

Nautilus could connect up to 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind to each country through subsea electricity cables. By combining offshore wind generation with interconnector capacity between the UK and Belgium, Nautilus would significantly reduce the amount of infrastructure and disruption required both onshore and offshore.

With this new technology, we hope to reduce the impact of infrastructure on local communities and the environment, as well as support the government’s net zero and energy security targets. We are already working closely with other developers to coordinate activities and minimise impact on local communities. We believe that through improved coordination, the UK government can achieve and support the co-existence of renewable energy with coastal communities.
 

Update on Nautilus – 2024

NGV has a connection agreement for this project at Friston, Suffolk and ran a non-statutory consultation for Nautilus in Suffolk in 2021.  NGV also has rights to connect a project at the Isle of Grain in Kent and given its proximity to Belgium it is now investigating if this could be a viable location for Nautilus. 

Investigations are ongoing and include various technical and environmental surveys, both onshore and offshore. Engagement with stakeholders and interested parties at the Isle of Grain will also be part of this process of information gathering. The option for a connection at Friston will be maintained until the viability of the project at the Isle of Grain is known. 

NGV will provide an update on Nautilus proposals later in 2024. ​​​​​Materials from the previous consultation can be found below.

What are Offshore Hybrid Assets? 

An Offshore Hybrid Asset (OHA) is a type of interconnector that consists of a subsea electricity cable connecting the UK to neighbouring energy markets. 

Nautilus was previously referred to as a ‘Multi-Purpose Interconnector’. However, NGV has updated the term to OHA in line with project development and new terminology introduced by the Department for Energy (DoE) for better alignment with the European markets.

As an OHA, Nautilus will help to:

• support the UK to achieve its 18GW of interconnection by 2030, as well as net zero by 2050
• support the clean energy transition by providing 2.4GW of flexible capacity between UK and Belgian networks
• increase the UK's energy resilience by ensuring cleaner energy flows from where it's being generated to where it's needed most
• promote more affordable energy in the UK by providing access to the lowest priced energy available between the UK and Belgium.

Find out more about Offshore Hybrid Assets 

Contact us

NGV will engage with the local community on the Nautilus proposals. More information on this will be available later in 2024.

You can get in touch with the Nautilus project team using the details below:

Freephone:08081 699 822

Freepost: FREEPOST NAUTILUS

Email: [email protected]

Document library

As the plans are developed this section will be updated with consultation materials. 

Nautilus in Suffolk

National Grid Ventures holds several connection agreements across the UK, each with the potential for an Offshore Hybrid Asset (OHA). To understand the potential of these sites, we have to undertake feasibility work both onshore and offshore. 

We had initially selected Suffolk for our Nautilus connection but are also considering the Isle of Grain as a potential home. 

Until our feasibility work is complete, we cannot make a firm commitment on the location of Nautilus, which is why both Suffolk and the Isle of Grain remain as potential connection locations for the project.

​​​​​Materials from our previous consultation can be found below. Please note that these documents no longer accurately reflect proposals for Nautilus. Details on updated proposals for Nautilus in Isle of Grain will be available in the ‘Document library’ above.

The planning process

Nautilus has been classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) in East Suffolk UK. As part of the NSIP process, the project has a live page on the Planning Inspectorate's website.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process

Extensive environmental surveys and studies will be undertaken for Nautilus as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA process) and a range of statutory consultees and stakeholders will be consulted with. As part of this process, a Scoping Report, a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and an Environmental Statement (ES) will be produced.