Ten EU nations sign up to develop North Sea electricity grid

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2010-12-08

Ten EU nations including the UK have signed up to develop an offshore wind energy supergrid linking up renewable resources in the North Sea.

The grid would act as an interconnector between the UK and Ireland and mainland European countries bordering the North Sea.

The UK would be able to export electricity to Europe – which could be a boon for Scotland, which is developing extensive renewable energy capacity.

The grid, which could cost around £170 billion and be operational by 2020, would also help balance the variability of wind power supply across a wider region.

In a memorandum of understanding, ministers from Ireland, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden as well as the UK, agreed to explore the regulatory, legal, planning and technical issues that need to be addressed to create the grid.

“[This] Memorandum notes the substantial co-operation and practical support of governments across Europe to build a North Sea grid,” says Scottish Energy Minister Jim Mather.

“Scotland will play a full and active part in the development of this crucial piece of infrastructure that will further help us transform to a low carbon economy,” he added.

Source: Scottish government press release

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