Intertek and Greenlink secure Marine Licence for the Greenlink Interconnector, a proposed electricity interconnector between Wales and the Republic of Ireland
04 Mar 2021
Liphook, Hampshire, UK: Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, is pleased to announce that after three successful years of working closely with Greenlink Interconnector Ltd (“Greenlink”), a Marine Licence has been granted by Natural Resources Wales for the Greenlink Interconnector. The Greenlink Interconnector is a €450million electrical underground and submarine interconnector spanning approximately 190 km with a nominal capacity of 500MW, linking the power markets in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
Intertek’s subject-matter experts have worked on marine environmental quality assurance solutions with Greenlink since 2013, providing marine route development, landfall identification, survey management, environmental studies and assessment and ultimately submitting the Marine Licence (Wales) and Foreshore Licence (Ireland). Robust environmental impact assessment and environmental risk management have been core themes for Greenlink, as the proposed route crosses several European Protected Sites. In Wales, the Intertek team carried out comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment, in-depth Habitats Regulations Assessment and prepared environmental studies as well as draft mitigation plans to support the Marine Licence application.
A key aspect in de-risking the permitting process was the Intertek experts’ proactive approach to stakeholder engagement by connecting with Natural Resources Wales during route development, marine survey, environmental assessment and identification of appropriate proportionate mitigation. This open collaborative engagement with Natural Resources Wales has ensured that the nationally significant infrastructure project can be permitted with due consideration of the important offshore sensitive habitats and species.
Greenlink has been recognised as a “Project of Common Interest” by the European Union following support received from both the Irish and UK governments. It has also received funding from the European Commission through the Connecting Europe Facility. Onshore planning consents in Wales were granted in 2020 and in Ireland decisions are expected soon on the onshore planning application and the Foreshore Licence. Construction is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Anna Farley, Intertek Project Manager, commented: “Greenlink is a valued long-term client, and we are delighted to have secured this important milestone permit for the project. As a Total Quality Assurance solutions provider, Intertek is committed to supporting Greenlink in identifying and applying environmentally sound solutions that meet the technical and commercial requirements for one of the most important infrastructure projects in Europe.”
Nigel Beresford, CEO of Greenlink Interconnector Ltd said: “With the award of the Marine Licence, we have reached a significant milestone in the development of the project, having added this major marine permit to the onshore permits already secured. This achievement has been a collaborative effort with Intertek and we value the environmental and technical expertise that Intertek bring to the project team. The team’s proactive approach, working in partnership with key stakeholders to identify practical environmental and technical solutions to project challenges, ultimately resulted in a proposal we can all stand proudly behind. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship as we move forward into the construction phase.”
Intertek Energy & Water Consultancy Services provide technical solutions to complex environmental and regulatory challenges throughout the project lifecycle for multiple sectors, including power transmission and renewables, oil & gas, water utility, and ports & harbours. We work as advisors and project managers for our clients through all stages of offshore development--from concept, feasibility and design, through construction and operation, to decommissioning. In doing so, we partner with developers, operators, asset owners, utilities, lenders and government.
Notes to Editors
The Greenlink Interconnector is a proposed interconnector linking the power markets in Ireland and Great Britain. The project comprises a subsea and underground cable and associated converter stations to connect EirGrid’s Great Island transmission substation in County Wexford (Ireland) and National Grid’s Pembroke transmission substation in Pembrokeshire (Wales). It has a nominal capacity of 500MW. The project is being developed by Greenlink Interconnector Limited and is expected to be commissioned in 2023. More details at: www.greenlink.ie @Greenlink_IC
Intertek has extensive interconnector project experience in the UK, Europe and internationally, including cable routing constraints and feasibility studies, route engineering, survey management, environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement. For more information about Intertek’s Energy & Water Consultancy Services visit: www.intertek.com/energy-water/
Greenlink has been given the status of a European Union Project of Common Interest (PCI), making it one of
Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects. For more information see:
https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/infrastructure/projects-common-interest_en
For Technical Information
Please contact:
Anna Farley
E: anna.farley@intertek.com
For Market Information
Please contact:
Niki Schroeder
E: niki.schroeder@intertek.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.