Nemo Link
Cross BorderOperational
GBBE
1,000 MW400 kV140 km2019Also known as:Nemo, NESO TEC PRO-000974
Status:Operational
Capacity:1,000 MW
Project Company:
Nemo Link Limited
Type:cross border
Expected Life:25 years
Website:www.nemolink.co.uk
Nemo Link is a 1,000 MW HVDC subsea interconnector between Great Britain and Belgium, consisting of a 140 km cable system (including 130 km under the North Sea) and converter stations at Richborough and Bruges that enable bidirectional power flow between the two countries.
Supply Chain (23)
Project Timeline (16)
31 Jan 2019Commercial Operations Full Power
Nemo Link was formally commissioned on 31 January 2019, completing a roughly 10‑year development and construction phase and bringing into service a 1,000 MW, 140 km HVDC subsea interconnector between Bruges in Belgium and Richborough in Great Britain.
31 Jan 2019First Power
At 00:00 on 31 January 2019, energy exchange through Nemo Link began, with power first transmitted from Belgium to Great Britain and a forecast 18,559 MWh transported on the first operational day.
~Dec 2017Cable Installation Complete
The 2 km of onshore land cable on the UK side of the Nemo Link interconnector were scheduled to be and were reported as due to be finalised by the end of 2017, effectively completing the UK onshore cable installation segment of the project.
15 Sept 2017Onshore Construction Start
By mid‑September 2017, construction works had started on both Nemo Link converter station sites, while UK land cable works were nearing completion and Belgian land cable works had recently begun, indicating active onshore construction across the project.
15 Sept 2017Cable Installation Start
The Nemo Link joint venture started laying the first 59 km section of the double subsea cable between the French offshore section and the UK landfall, initiating offshore cable installation for the interconnector; remaining Belgian offshore sections were scheduled to follow in spring 2018.
Jun 2015Epci Contract Awarded
In June 2015, Siemens was awarded the contract to construct both Nemo Link converter stations, and J-Power Systems (a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries) was awarded the subsea cable contract, with a combined contract value of approximately €500 million including a five‑year service and maintenance agreement.
€500M
28 Feb 2015Fid Financial Close
An investment decision for the UK–Belgium Nemo Link interconnector was taken on 28 February 2015, allowing the 1,000 MW HVDC project between Richborough and Zeebrugge‑Herdersbrug to proceed into full implementation.
Feb 2015Joint Venture Formed
The joint venture agreement between National Grid Nemo Link (a subsidiary of National Grid, the GB system operator) and Belgian transmission system operator Elia to build the Nemo Link interconnector was formally signed, establishing the project company to develop and operate the link.
~Apr 2014Planning Consent Awarded
Licence: Planning and consent approvals for subsea interconnector route in Belgium, France and the UK
Planning and consent applications for the Nemo Link interconnector, covering the subsea cable route through Belgian, French and UK waters, which had been submitted in December 2012, were approved by the respective national authorities during the first half of 2014.
~Jan 2014Planning Consent Awarded
Licence: Planning and marine consents for the Nemo Link interconnector
Planning and consent applications for Nemo Link, covering the subsea cable route through the waters of Belgium, France and the UK and associated onshore works, were approved by the respective national authorities during the first half of 2014.