GridLink has started a new phase of public consultation in France to discuss the latest progress of the project and plan the scope of the environmental studies. Two public meetings are organized in Loon-Plage and Bourbourg on December 3 and 10. They are open to all to inquire, ask questions or make comments.
Public meeting: 3 décembre à la mairie de Loon-Plage, 27 place de la République, à 18h30
Public meeting: 10 décembre à la mairie de Bourbourg, place de l’Hôtel de ville, à 18h30
GridLink has commenced its onshore surveys in the UK and France. The surveys involve the use of a range of topographical, geophysical and geotechnical techniques to investigate the land surface, existing underground public services, underlying geology and environmental conditions. The companies awarded the contracts to carry out the survey are SOCOTEC in the UK and GEOTEC SAS in France.
GridLink has completed its offshore seabed survey. The offshore survey has provided key information to enable the cable route to be optimised taking into account seabed geology, wrecks, obstacles and environmental features. The seabed survey will be used to inform the cable installation design and methods, cable-lay planning and environmental impact assessment.
GridLink has announced the Contract Notices for two tenders for the construction of the project: 1) converter stations in UK andFrance; and 2) subsea HVDC cable between UK and France.
The tender process will be implemented according to Negotiated procedure set down in Council Directive 2014/25/EU on public procurement. The first stage requires interested parties to submit an expression of interest followed by completion of a pre-qualification questionnaire to enable a short-list of suitably-qualified candidates to be identified. The second stage comprises an invitation to the short-listed candidates to submit a tender for the contract. The pre-qualification stage is expected to be completed in December 2019, with the tender stage starting in early 2020 so as to be completed by the end of the year.
GridLink has commenced its offshore seabed survey. The survey involves the use of a range of geophysical and geotechnical techniques to investigate the seabed, underlying geology and environmental conditions. The company awarded the contract to carry out the survey is MMT Sweden AB.
Following confirmation of its status as a Project of Common Interest, GridLink has signed a grant agreement with the Innovation & Networks Executive Agency (INEA) of the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The amount of the CEF funding is up to €15.2 million, and the contribution is 50% towards many the development costs associated with the project. The grant award demonstrates the value and benefit that the project will bring to the European community.
GridLink has been recognised as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) by the European Commission. Having been shortlisted in November 2017, the award of PCI status was confirmed by the publication of Commission Delegated Regulation No. 2018/540 of 23 November 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the Union list of projects of common interest in the Official Journal on 6th April 2018.
PCIs are key infrastructure projects, especially cross-border projects, that link the energy systems of European countries. They are intended to help the EU to achieve its energy policy and climate objectives: affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, and the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement. Every two years, the European Commission draws up a new list of PCIs.
To become a PCI, a project must have a significant impact on energy markets and market integration in at least two European countries, boost competition in energy markets and help the EU’s energy security by diversifying sources, and contribute to the EU’s climate and energy goals by integrating renewables. The selection process gives preference to projects in priority corridors, one of which is the Northern Seas Offshore Grid. This priority corridor includes the UK and France.
PCIs benefit from accelerated planning and permit granting, a single national authority for obtaining permits, improved regulatory conditions, lower administrative costs due to streamlined environmental assessment processes, increased public participation via consultations, and increased visibility to investors. They also have the right to apply for funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Following the completion of the concertation prealable (preliminary consultation) activities, approval of the guarantor’s report by the Commission nationale du debat public (CNDP) and submission of a lessons learned report to the CNDP by GridLink, this phase of public consultations is complete. The lessons learned report prepared by GridLink provides a summary of the preliminary consultation activities, lessons learned and plans for further public consultations up to the application for the Environmental Authorisation.
Following completion of extensive consultations, Ofgem has published its Initial Project Assessment (IPA) decision in which GridLink received Ofgem’s approval for acceptance under the cap and floor scheme. Ofgem confirmed its view in the minded-to decision that GridLink is likely to be of significant benefit to consumers.
GridLink has been approved by the Commission nationale du debat public (CNDP) to initiate the concertation prealable (preliminary consultation) procedure in France. The consultations will run for 7 weeks from 27 November 2017 to 12 January 2018, and include launch of the project web-site, two public meetings in Loon Plage and Bourbourg, and a series of thematic meetings with local interest groups and representatives. The consultations are overseen by a guarantor appointed by CNDP.
