IFA2 SAS

IFA2 SAS is a project company established as a 50:50 joint venture between National Grid IFA2 Ltd, part of National Grid UK, and the French transmission system operator Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE). Its purpose is to develop, finance and operate IFA2 (Interconnexion France‑Angleterre 2), a regulated 1,000 MW high‑voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnector between the French and British transmission systems. The link connects the Chilling 400 kV substation on the south‑east Hampshire coast in Great Britain with the Tourbe 400 kV substation in the Lower Normandy region of France, using a combination of underground land cables and a long subsea route beneath the English Channel. IFA2 was identified by the European Commission as a Project of Common Interest and approved under national regulatory frameworks, including Ofgem’s cap and floor regime in Great Britain and CRE’s investment framework in France. Acting as developer and asset owner, IFA2 SAS procured and coordinated major delivery contracts, including a turnkey design, manufacture and installation contract with Prysmian Group for approximately 25 km of French land cable, just over 200 km of submarine HVDC cable, and associated HVAC links, and a contract with ABB for converter stations. The interconnector operates at ±320 kV DC with a total route length of about 204–240 km, including converter stations near Tourbe and at Solent Airport/Daedalus in Hampshire. IFA2 entered commercial operation in January 2021, adding 1,000 MW of cross‑Channel transfer capacity and contributing to European energy policy objectives around market integration, security of supply, cost reduction and increased use of low‑carbon and renewable generation in France and Great Britain.