The LionLink interconnector, a subsea cable that will connect the future Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands to the UK grid and interconnect the two national power networks, is planned to make landfall in Walberswick on its UK side.
On February 19, National Grid Ventures (NGV) said it selected Walberswick as the preferred landfall location for the new subsea interconnector since the site required a shorter onshore cable route (19.9 kilometers) compared to the alternative Southwold route (32.8 kilometers), reducing the environmental impact and disruption to residents. Walberswick is also less susceptible to coastal erosion and flooding, making it a more sustainable option for the long-term operation of LionLink, NGV said.
“After two rounds of community consultation and detailed technical and environmental assessments, we have selected Walberswick as our preferred landfall site for LionLink. Community feedback has been essential to the evolution of LionLink” , said Ben Wilson , President of National Grid Ventures.
“Our commitment is to respect and protect the local environment and community, while we deliver a nationally important energy project that will strengthen the UK’s energy security.”
The LionLink partners, Dutch transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT and the UK’s National Grid Ventures, will hold information sessions on the preferred landfall location in March and the statutory consultation will take place in Autumn/Winter 2025.
LionLink expects to apply for the Development Consent Order (DCO) with the UK Planning Inspectorate in 2026 and to receive a decision in 2027. The interconnector is planned to be in operation from 2032.
The subsea link, said to be the first direct-current hybrid interconnector, will link to the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands and connect it to the UK grid, and will also serve as a high-voltage link to exchange electricity between the countries.
In January, Dutch Climate and Green Growth Minister Sophie Hermans included LionLink in the country’s latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework, enabling TenneT to make investments in the project.
The offshore wind development tender for Nederwiek 3 is planned to be launched in 2026, when the Dutch government will also award the Nederwiek 2 site and the Nederwiek 1B site whose tendering was postponed from 2025 to 2026.