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Connecting to a Net Zero Future

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Connecting to a Net Zero Future Connecting to a net zero future Exploring the role of interconnectors in the transition to net zero June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid Contents 4 Route to net zero 6 Who we are and what we do 8 This publication in 60 seconds 10 How the energy system is changing 12 What are interconnectors and why are they needed? 14 How interconnectors work 18 How interconnectors benefit consumers 20 The power of now 22 Unlocking the potential of clean energy 24 A partnership across Europe 26 Looking to the future 2 3 National Grid | June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid North Sea Link: 1.4GW Under construction The route to net zero Live 2021 GB and Norway By 2024, National Grid’s flexible Viking Link: 1.4GW interconnector capacity will Under construction Live 2023 provide enough energy to power GB and Denmark eight million homes. Electricity interconnectors have an France, and the Netherlands. A further BritNed: 1GW important role to play in a radical shift three projects are under construction Operational Live 2011 to the way we produce and use energy. and many more are in development. GB and Netherlands Acting like international clean energy super-highways, they can stretch for Interconnection is in many ways the perfect Nemo: 1GW Operational hundreds of miles and cross borders, technology to integrate renewable energy and Live 2019 helping power to flow back and forth ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable GB and Belgium between Great Britain and neighbouring transition to a cleaner energy system. IFA: 2GW countries. This flexibility will be vital as By linking Britain to neighbouring countries, Operational 7.8 GW IFA2: 1GW Live 1986 Britain’s reliance on renewable sources interconnectors can import cheaper clean Operational GB and France of energy grows. energy when it is needed, while exporting Interconnector Live 2021 excess power - so that both Britain and its capacity already GB and France The UK Government has committed to neighbours have access to a broader and operational or under achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. more flexible supply of electricity. In December 2020, ministers pledged that construction, jointly in the next decade the UK will cut its carbon We know that increasingly large volumes owned by National Grid. emissions by 68% of 1990 levels. Meanwhile, of renewable energy – particularly offshore the proposed European Climate Law also wind – will need to connect to the grid includes a net zero target by 2050. So, how in the coming years to achieve net zero. do we reach these ambitious targets? Interconnectors can provide a way to achieve offshore wind connections at scale. Interconnectors, high voltage transmission cables that move electricity between In this publication we look at the role of countries, are already making a significant interconnectors now and in the future, contribution to the energy transition. explaining how the technology, the market and the regulation works. We also explore The technology is operating today and how interconnectors are already delivering delivering real benefits for consumers significant benefits for consumers, and how across the UK and Europe. A total of this trend is set to continue with increased six interconnectors currently link the interconnector capacity planned between Great Britain electricity grid to Northern GB and Europe. Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, 4 5 National Grid | June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid “National Grid has a critical role to play in helping to accelerate Who we are towards a cleaner future. Tackling climate change and and what we do reaching net zero are top of our agenda. Our interconnector projects are critical to this, enabling us to deliver a cleaner About National Grid About National Grid Ventures and smarter energy system National Grid lies at the heart of a transforming National Grid Ventures develops, builds, for consumers both in the energy system, spanning the UK and the US. operates, and invests in technologies Our businesses supply gas and electricity, that decarbonise our economy and UK and in Europe.” safely, reliably, and efficiently to millions society. We are the competitive division John Pettigrew, Chief Executive, of customers and communities. We drive of National Grid, operating separately from National Grid change through engineering innovation and the company’s core regulated businesses. by incubating new ideas with the power to revolutionise our industry. We have a diverse portfolio of low-carbon and renewable energy projects in the UK, Europe As the world changes to embrace cleaner and US stretching from offshore transmission energy and businesses shift to operate in to battery storage, wind, and solar power. a more responsible way, we are leading We also have significant experience that charge. in developing and operating sub-sea electricity interconnectors. We are focused on finding ways to decarbonise the energy system; from building interconnectors to allow the UK to share clean energy with our neighbours in Europe, to investing in renewable energy generation in the US. We connect people to the energy they need to live their lives. We continually strive to find a better way. We Bring Energy to Life. 6 7 National Grid | June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid This publication in 60 seconds Read our 60-second summary of the role that interconnectors play today and how they will support the journey to net zero. Managing the energy transition A challenging decade ahead The UK is committed to net zero emissions Achieving net zero will require some by 2050. Meeting that target means dramatic shifts in how we produce transforming our energy system to one and use energy. The UK Government powered by zero-carbon generation. targets building 40 GW of offshore wind Interconnectors have an important part to capacity by 2030. Connecting large volumes play in this ambition by ensuring zero-carbon of renewable generation to the grid is a generation can be moved from where it is challenge and requires us to think differently. plentiful to where it is needed most. A connected future Interconnectors today Interconnectors can help to connect large Interconnectors give Great Britain access volumes of offshore wind by acting as a hub to clean energy from elsewhere in Europe for clean energy connections. National Grid and allow us to export excess clean power. Ventures is developing a new generation of They are helping to create a cleaner, more multi-purpose interconnector. These innovative secure, and more affordable energy system projects aim to connect offshore wind projects that benefits consumers. Between 2020 and here in Great Britain and to mainland Europe. 2030, we estimate our interconnectors will Multi-purpose interconnectors reduce the help Britain to prevent 100 million tonnes number of onshore connections needed of carbon emissions.* and lessen the impact of infrastructure on coastal communities. *This is an internal calculation based on pan-European modelling of hourly flows through interconnectors, then assuming that these flows were replaced by CCGTs in the UK. 8 9 National Grid | June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid How the energy system is changing The energy system is shifting ever further away from a reliance on fossil fuels towards renewables and a broader mix of zero-carbon generation, including wind and solar as well as nuclear power. Interconnectors are helping to enable this transition. • The way we produce and consume energy is changing rapidly. In 2019, zero-carbon sources delivered 48.5% of Britain’s electricity. • In 2019, zero-carbon generation outstripped fossil fuels over a 12-month period for the first time. • How did this happen? Via a combination of wind farms, solar, nuclear energy and clean power imported via interconnectors. • To achieve the UK’s net zero target, the 6th Carbon Budget Report by the Climate Change Committee published in December 2020 recommends growing offshore wind from a 40 GW ambition in 2030 to at least 100 GW by 2050. • That’s 10 times the offshore wind Britain has operational today. • A greater role for renewables means more intermittent generation and volatility on the system. When the sun shines and the wind blows, there could be excess generation available. When the weather is cloudy and calm, the opposite could be true. 10 11 National Grid | May 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid What are interconnectors and why are they needed? Interconnectors act like super-highways for clean energy. They are high-voltage transmission cables that efficiently transmit electricity between countries, from where it is produced to where it is most needed. For Great Britain, sub- sea cables enable large volumes of zero-carbon generation to be imported or exported over long distances without significant energy loss along the way. 12 13 National Grid | June 2021 Connecting to a net zero future Connecting to a net zero future June 2021 | National Grid How interconnectors work The technology (HVDC). At either end, a converter station connect Great Britain to Denmark features a Interconnector technology has been transforms this to and from the alternating 765km cable – the longest of its type in the operating successfully for decades, so current needed to run the grid that supplies world. The project is due to be completed at it is well proven and reliable. our homes and businesses. This conversion the end of 2023. is needed to make sure power can be Sub-sea cables link the Great Britain transmitted over long distances via Currently, all existing and planned sub-sea transmission network to other countries interconnectors without significant losses.
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