UK transmission asset owner National Grid and German grid operator Tennet have launched plans for a proposed sub-sea electricity link, dubbed GriffinLink, that would connect offshore wind generation in Great Britain (GB) and Germany to both countries' grids.
The project is being explored to link up to 2GW of offshore wind capacity, although final specifications have yet to be determined, the companies said. It is expected to be operational by the late 2030s, subject to a final investment decision.
GriffinLink was announced at the North Sea Summit in Hamburg on Monday, where nine North Sea countries, including GB and Germany, committed to build 100GW of offshore wind capacity and connected grid infrastructure.
GB and Germany are not currently directly connected by an electricity interconnector, with the under-construction 1.4GW NeuConnect expected to be operational in 2028. GB's existing interconnection capacity of around 10.3GW links the market to Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and Denmark, while Germany's interconnector capacity is oriented towards neighbouring continental markets and Nordic countries.
