Aerial view of waves
Nautilus Interconnector
We are launching plans for a new multi-purpose interconnector that could supply enough electricity to power around 1.4 million UK homes.

National Grid Ventures (NGV) is developing plans to deliver a subsea cable allowing electricity to flow between the UK and Belgium. The new multi-purpose interconnector (MPI) will also connect to offshore wind generation in the North Sea, powering approximately 1.4 million UK homes.

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 – March 2023

Last year, National Grid Ventures ran a non-statutory consultation for Nautilus, which proposed a connection at Friston. 

NGV also holds a connection agreement on the Isle of Grain in Kent, as part of its development portfolio, and we are currently investigating if this could be a potential location for Nautilus. These investigations will include various surveys and environmental and technical assessments, both on land and within the marine environment. Until these studies are complete, and we understand the viability of the Isle of Grain for an MPI, we will continue to explore coordination opportunities with our developments on East Suffolk. Engagement with stakeholders and interested parties at the Isle of Grain will also be part of this process of information gathering.

Learn more about our work exploring opportunities for coordination

We will provide a further update on our Nautilus proposals later in 2024. ​​​​​Materials from our previous consultation can be found below.

 

What are multi-purpose interconnectors? 

MPIs are part of National Grid’s wider vision for the next generation of interconnectors. An MPI is a subsea electricity cable that connects Great Britain to neighbouring energy markets and also connects offshore generation to shore. Once on land, it will connect to an onshore converter station to transform high voltage direct current (HVDC) into high voltage alternating current (HVAC) enabling energy to be fed into the transmission networks of each country.

As a MPI, Nautilus will help to:

  • support the UK to achieve its 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 and net zero by 2050 climate targets
  • Reduce impacts on coastal communities and the environment by avoiding the need for every project to have its own separate connection infrastructure
  • Support the transition towards a cleaner energy system by providing 2.8GW of flexible capacity between Great Britain and Belgian networks
  • Increase security of supply by ensuring cleaner energy flows from where it is being generated to where it is needed most
  • Promote more affordable energy in the UK by providing access to the lowest priced energy available between GB and Belgium.

 

NGV Convertor Infographic

Consultation

We held a non-statutory consultation on Nautilus between Tuesday 14 September and Tuesday 26 October 2021.

We have reviewed all feedback received during the consultation period and will be incorporating this, where possible, as we develop our proposals for Nautilus and other projects in the area.

Our communication channels remain open should you wish to find out more information about Nautilus.

Further updates on plans for Nautilus will be provided in 2024.

You can get in touch with us using the details below:

Freephone:08081 699 822

Freepost: FREEPOST NAUTILUS INTERCONNECTOR

Email: [email protected]

Document library

Read downloadable PDF versions of all our consultation materials below.

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.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)

Nautilus Interconnector is classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) in East Suffolk by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The development will be required to submit an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) where a final decision whether to grant consent will be made by the Secretary of State for BEIS.

The DCO regime requires a robust Environmental Impact Assessment and pre-application consultation process prior to any application being submitted. The DCO consent process will provide a single, unified consenting process with clear and fixed timescales.

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.

Scoping Report

A Scoping Report will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. This will present the proposals for Nautilus and will describe how any potential impacts to the existing environment will be assessed. The feedback received on this document from the local planning authorities and statutory consultees will result in a Scoping Opinion from the Planning Inspectorate, which will be made publicly available.

Pebbled beach

Contact us:

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to find out more information about Nautilus Interconnector.

You can contact a member of our Community Relations Team to find out more by using the details below.

Freephone: 08081 699 822

Freepost: FREEPOST NAUTILUS INTERCONNECTOR

Email: [email protected]

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