
Icelink is a proposed electricity
interconnector
An interconnector (also known as a DC tie in the USA) is a structure which enables high-voltage DC electricity to flow between electrical grids, connecting separate AC networks, or linking synchronous grids. It may be formed of submarine power ...
between
Iceland
Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
and the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
via
Great Britain
Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
. At , the 8001,200MW
high-voltage direct current
A high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission system uses direct current (DC) for electric power transmission, in contrast with the more common alternating current (AC) transmission systems. Most HVDC links use voltages betwe ...
(HVDC) link would be the longest sub-sea power interconnector in the world.
The project partners for the main proposal are
National Grid plc
National Grid plc is a British multinational electricity and gas utility company headquartered in London, England. Its principal activities are in the United Kingdom, where it owns and operates electricity and natural gas transmission networks ...
in the UK,
Landsvirkjun
Landsvirkjun, () the National Power Company of Iceland, is Iceland's largest electricity generator. Landsvirkjun operates 21 power plants in Iceland concentrated on five main areas of operation.
History
Landsvirkjun was founded on 1 July 196 ...
, the state-owned generator in Iceland, and
Landsnet
Landsnet (, ) is a transmission system operator of the Icelandic high-voltage power grid. It is a public company owned by the Icelandic government (93.22%) and Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (6.78%). It is a member of the European Network of Transmissi ...
, the Icelandic
Transmission System Operator (TSO).
An alternative proposal by
Edi Truell's company
Disruptive Capital Finance goes by the name "Atlantic SuperConnection", but it requires
UK government
His Majesty's Government, abbreviated to HM Government or otherwise UK Government, is the central government, central executive authority of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. financing.
According to
Landsvirkjun
Landsvirkjun, () the National Power Company of Iceland, is Iceland's largest electricity generator. Landsvirkjun operates 21 power plants in Iceland concentrated on five main areas of operation.
History
Landsvirkjun was founded on 1 July 196 ...
, it will take about five years to complete feasibility and other work, and if a decision is made to go ahead, construction and installation would take a further five to six years.
The cost is as of 2023 expected to be €3.5 bn ($3.8 bn), for the cable and stations, not counting additional power plants.
Status
In 2017, the main proposal for the project was still at the feasibility stage,
and, , no further progress had been reported.
As of 2019, the "Atlantic SuperConnection" proposal had still not obtained the required financial support from the UK government.
The link is highly controversial in Icelandic politics, with a fear of
environmental effects associated with increasing Iceland's power supply to meet Icelink's demand, as well as concerns over increased domestic energy prices in Iceland. For the project to move forward, the
Icelandic parliament needs to accept the construction, which as of 2022 is not likely.
Northern Ireland variant
At the 2019
UK General Election 2019, the
Democratic Unionist Party
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is a Unionism in Ireland, unionist, Ulster loyalism, loyalist, British nationalist and national conservative political party in Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1971 during the Troubles by Ian Paisley, who ...
included in their manifesto a proposal for Icelink to make landfall in
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...
.
See also
*
Electricity sector in Iceland
*
Electricity sector in the United Kingdom
*
Electricity sector in Ireland
*
NorthConnect
*
North Sea Link
The North Sea Link is a 1,400MW high-voltage direct current submarine power cable between Norway and the United Kingdom.
At it was the longest subsea interconnector in the world when it became operational on 1 October 2021.
Route
The cable ru ...
*
European super grid
*
References
External links
Overview of IceLink, on the Landsvirkjun website{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124224840/https://www.landsvirkjun.com/researchdevelopment/submarinecabletoeurope , date=24 January 2020
Electrical interconnectors to and from Great Britain
Proposed electric power transmission systems
Proposed electric power infrastructure in the United Kingdom
Electric power infrastructure in Iceland
Proposed infrastructure