IFA2
Cross BorderOperational
GBFR
1,000 MW320 kV225 km2020Also known as:Interconnexion France-Angleterre 2, Anglo-French Interconnector, IFA-2, NESO TEC PRO-000283
Status:Operational
Capacity:1,000 MW
Project Company:National Grid IFA 2 Limited
Type:cross border
Expected Life:45 years
Website:www.nationalgrid.com
IFA2 is a 1,000 MW HVDC (VSC) subsea interconnector between Great Britain and France that entered commercial operation on 22 January 2021. The link was developed jointly by National Grid Interconnector Holdings (NGIH) through National Grid IFA2 Limited (NGIFA2) and RTE (the French TSO); Ofgem’s cap-and-floor regulatory regime applies to...
Supply Chain (14)
Project Timeline (40)
13 Sept 2023Geophysical Survey Complete
The A‑2‑Sea Solutions marine survey campaign on the IFA2 cable route was planned to complete on 13 September 2023 after operating along the defined corridor using Mintaka and Morven to collect hull‑mounted and towed geophysical data. The programme aimed to provide updated seabed and sub‑sea information for route verification and engineering assessments.
27 Jul 2023Geophysical Survey Start
A‑2‑Sea Solutions commenced a marine survey campaign along a section of the IFA2 cable route on 27 July 2023. The operator deployed the 40.2 m vessel Mintaka and the 19.8 m Morven, working 24 hours and employing hull‑mounted and towed survey equipment within a 25 m survey corridor to acquire geophysical data (positioning, sonar and sub‑surface sensors) over the specified route segment.
1 Aug 2022Operations Other
Ofgem published its final decision on the Post Construction Review of IFA2, determining the Post Construction Adjustment (PCA) terms and final cap and floor levels and confirming that decommissioning costs had been assessed as part of the PCR. The decision also confirmed that the cap and floor regime allows a discretionary revision — no less than ten years from the start of the regime — to re-assess and, if required, make multiple revisions to decommissioning cost allowances. The publication therefore formalised the project's decommissioning cost allowance and the timetable/method for future reassessments.
22 Jan 2021Commercial Operations Full Power
On 22 January 2021 IFA2 entered commercial operation and began live electricity flows between France and Great Britain. The 1,000 MW ±320 kV HVDC link, developed by NGIFA2 (National Grid) and RTE, moved from commissioning to market operation with an initial opening flow from France to the UK. Commercial operation enabled the interconnector to participate in cross‑border trading and provide up to 1,000 MW of import/export capacity between the two systems.
Jan 2021System Testing
National Grid entered the customer commissioning phase at the Chilling Lane onshore substation in early January 2021, carrying out operational and acceptance tests to verify the interface between the IFA2 converter station and the UK transmission network. Completion of these tests was required before final acceptance and site demobilisation.
Jan 2021Construction Other
Following commissioning activities, National Grid commenced demobilisation works at the Chilling Lane substation site in early 2021, including removal of site cabins, reseeding of fields and planting of screening trees; the project team also reused laydown aggregate to minimise environmental impact during close down.
2021Joint Venture Formed
The IFA2 interconnector was developed and is jointly managed by National Grid (UK) and the French transmission system operator Réseau de Transport d’Électricité (RTE). The partnership delivered the 1,000MW HVDC link that was commissioned in 2021; both TSOs share responsibility for the asset’s operation and commercial management across the UK–France boundary. This reflects a bilateral project governance and operational partnership rather than a single-owner structure, with the two national TSOs collaborating on delivery, commissioning and ongoing operation of the converter stations and cable system.
Dec 2020Uxo Survey Complete
Planning documentation recorded that the UXO licences covering IFA2 activities had expiry dates in December 2020 and therefore stated UXO survey/clearance works for the project were to be completed by December 2020. The record indicated UXO activities for both DC and AC cable redlines would be finished before the commencement of later construction phases.
15 Oct 2020First Power
On 15 October 2020 the IFA2 HVDC interconnector was energised for the first time as part of commissioning and testing activities. The energisation activated the ±320 kV DC link between the converter stations in northern France and the UK south coast, enabling commissioning checks ahead of live operation. The project is a joint National Grid (NGIFA2) and RTE development; Hitachi Energy supplied the HVDC converter technology, and Prysmian supplied the subsea and land cables, supporting the initial energisation and test programme.
18 Aug 2020Geophysical Survey Complete
The IFA2 final as‑laid geophysical survey of the nearshore HVAC and HVDC cable routes was scheduled to be completed by 18 August 2020. The survey programme, delivered by vessels TSM OUESSANT and Coastal Observer, covered the nearshore cable corridor to confirm cable positions and seabed conditions following cable installation and burial operations.