The UK and Netherlands are taking a significant step toward stronger renewable energy integration with the announcement of the LionLink hybrid interconnector. The interconnector, which will be the first of its kind in Europe, will connect the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands to both the Dutch and UK onshore high-voltage grids, facilitating the exchange of electricity between the two countries.

The LionLink project has been included in the Netherlands' latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework, paving the way for TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator (TSO), to make investments in the project. TenneT is collaborating with the UK's National Grid Ventures (NGV) on the initiative.

The interconnector will provide an additional high-voltage link, supporting electricity trading and increasing energy security between the two countries. However, several steps remain before the hybrid interconnector can be fully realized, including a decision on the market design for wind farm developers and new arrangements for market coupling between the European Union and the UK.

The offshore wind development tender for Nederwiek 3 is expected to launch in 2026, along with the award of sites for Nederwiek 2 and likely Nederwiek 1B, though the latter's tender has been postponed.

Source: TenneT