France has halted a maritime concession essential for the France-UK electricity interconnector โคproject, perhaps delaying a key โcomponent of both nations’ energy strategies. The โdecision, announced Friday, throws into question the future of the planned undersea cable designed to boost energy security and facilitate renewable energy trade between the two countries.
The โinterconnector, intended to transmit electricity generated from offshore wind farms,โ is a critical piece of infrastructure as France and the UK strive to meet ambitiousโข climate goals โฃand reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The French government cited concerns regarding the project’s impact onโค theโ marine surroundings and localโข fisheries asโข reasonsโค for blocking the concession,raising questions about the โbroader political and economic implications โfor cross-channel energy cooperation. โค
The concession, needed for laying the cable in French territorial waters, โคwas denied despite previous approvals and years of planning. Projectโข developer, Aquind, expressed โข”deep disappointment”โค with the decision, โฃstating it “undermines confidence in the French regulatory process” and threatens a project vital for energy transition.
France’s Ministryโ of Ecological Transition confirmed the denial, โciting a reviewโค that identifiedโ “several shortcomings” in the application, specifically relating โฃto environmental impact assessments and consultations with stakeholders. “The project,as presented,does not fully meet the requirements to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems and the interests of local fishing communities,” a ministry statement read.
The interconnector, with a planned capacity of 2 gigawatts, would have been capable of powering millions of homes. The UK government has yet to officially comment on the French decision, butโ sources indicate officials are urgently seeking clarification and โexploringโ potential solutions. โค Analystsโฃ suggest the move could strain relations between the two countries, particularly as they navigate post-Brexit energy arrangements. โ Aquind maintains it will address the concerns raised and resubmit its application, but the timeline for resolution remains uncertain.