The ongoing saga related to moves designed to snuff out a proposed cross-channel marine and underground high voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission link between the South of England and Normandy in France has taken on a new dimension, as the proximity to a naval base stokes defense and national security concerns. Will the Ministry of Defence’s objection be the final nail in the coffin for this bi-directional green electric power link?
Following the objection from the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) , which was sent to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to express opposition over the proposed Aquind interconnector project on national security grounds, the spat between the developer of the £1.35 billion (more than $1.77 billion) Great Britain – France subsea link and the British government has been reignited, after the dust settled over the government’s move from January 2024, when it postponed its final decision about the proposed green electricity interconnection in response to MoD’s request.