Natural Resources Wales approves Marine Licence for 500 MW interconnector project

Greenlink Interconnector Limited welcomed the decision by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to approve its application for a Marine Licence for the 500 MW Greenlink electricity interconnector project, which will link the power markets of Great Britain and Ireland.

The Marine Licence is one of several consents required for the construction of the project and covers installation of the marine cable in UK waters. The approval by NRW is a major milestone for Greenlink and joins the onshore planning consents granted unanimously in July last year by Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Greenlink’s proposed 190km subsea and underground electricity cable will run beneath the Irish Sea to connect National Grid’s Pembroke Power Station in Wales and EirGrid’s Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland. It will have a nominal capacity of 500 MW.

The subsea section of the cable will be approximately 160km in length and uses high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. The preferred route and installation methods were chosen following the conclusion of subsea surveys and consultation with key stakeholders.

Once fully consented, Greenlink is expected to have a three-year construction programme, with commissioning planned by the end of 2023.