popular articles

Aquind project: the Environmental Authority wants to assess the project’s impact

The Environmental Authority recommends an in-depth assessment of the environmental impacts of the private electricity interconnection project between France and Great Britain.

Please share:

The cross-Channel electricity interconnection project, developed by the British company Aquind, aims to create a 2,000-megawatt (MW) undersea link between the electricity grids of France and Great Britain. On the French side, the project calls for the construction of two 73 km DC submarine links under the English Channel and two 36 km DC underground terrestrial links, as well as a converter station at Varneville-Bretteville in Seine-Maritime, France.

Opinion of the environmental authority

Following a referral from the Prefect of Seine-Maritime, the independent Environmental Authority published its opinion recommending a more complete assessment of the project’s environmental impact. The opinion highlights several environmental issues affecting marine and aquatic environments, in particular the La Scie watercourse and its catchment areas, wetlands, noise pollution, and the impact on the landscape of the converter station.

Technical recommendations and requirements

The Environmental Authority asks that the dossier be supplemented with technical elements to ensure that the proposed solutions, which are not yet known pending calls for tender or the results of ongoing studies, have minimal environmental consequences. It stresses the need to specify the impacts, measures and risks associated with the land and marine construction phases, as well as the operating phase for the converter station, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, air, water and soil pollution, noise, traffic, waste management and invasive alien species.

Project history and prospects

Estimated at 1.4 billion euros, the Aquind Interconnector project was rejected by the British government in 2022, before the courts decided in January 2023 to refer the case back to the Department of Energy for reconsideration. According to Aquind, the interconnector will be able to transport over 17 TWh of electricity each year between Great Britain and France, equivalent to 5.5% and 3.8% of their respective consumption in 2023.

Impact on power networks

The British electricity grid is already connected to the continent via several links, including three with France, one with Norway and another with Denmark. The addition of the Aquind interconnector would strengthen this infrastructure by increasing electricity transmission capacity, thus contributing to the stability and energy security of both countries. However, the importance of minimizing environmental impact remains crucial to the future of the project.
The recommendations of the Environmental Authority underline the need for a rigorous assessment of the environmental impacts of the Aquind project. Implementing these recommendations could ensure a balance between energy development and environmental preservation, a crucial issue for the future energy transition.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Over 100 international organisations are urging a halt to offshore oil and gas exploration ahead of the United Nations Ocean Conference scheduled in June in Nice.
A massive fire broke out following a leak on a gas pipeline operated by Petronas in Selangor state, injuring over 100 people and causing significant damage in a residential area.
A massive fire broke out following a leak on a gas pipeline operated by Petronas in Selangor state, injuring over 100 people and causing significant damage in a residential area.
Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
Former US Vice President Al Gore stated in Paris that Donald Trump’s decisions will not durably hinder the global rise of renewable energies, driven by falling solar production costs.
Dutch organisation Milieudefensie is suing ING for its alleged role in financing fossil fuel projects, demanding the bank halve its CO2 emissions by 2030.
Dutch organisation Milieudefensie is suing ING for its alleged role in financing fossil fuel projects, demanding the bank halve its CO2 emissions by 2030.
Environmental groups have announced legal action against the Trump administration over measures aimed at boosting offshore oil and gas production, reigniting the legal battle from his first term in office.
The lawsuit filed by three NGOs and eight plaintiffs accusing TotalEnergies of involuntary manslaughter and harm to biodiversity has been dismissed by the French judiciary, citing insufficient evidence of infractions.
The lawsuit filed by three NGOs and eight plaintiffs accusing TotalEnergies of involuntary manslaughter and harm to biodiversity has been dismissed by the French judiciary, citing insufficient evidence of infractions.
An analysis from the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University highlights the immediate and long-term health risks posed by coal ash waste from MidAmerican Energy's plants in Iowa, as energy companies push to weaken regulations.
An analysis from the Interdisciplinary Environmental Clinic at Washington University highlights the immediate and long-term health risks posed by coal ash waste from MidAmerican Energy's plants in Iowa, as energy companies push to weaken regulations.
After Storm Eowyn, described as the most powerful in a decade, 577,000 households remained without electricity on Sunday evening in Ireland and the UK. Repairs are ongoing, but further disruptions are expected.
After Storm Eowyn, described as the most powerful in a decade, 577,000 households remained without electricity on Sunday evening in Ireland and the UK. Repairs are ongoing, but further disruptions are expected.
A report by France Stratégie warns of a potential 100% increase in water consumption in France by 2050, with agriculture, energy, and usage conflicts emerging as major challenges.
According to the British Meteorological Office (Met Office), carbon dioxide (CO2) has risen faster than ever, exceeding all projections and raising new questions about the global capacity to contain global warming.
According to the British Meteorological Office (Met Office), carbon dioxide (CO2) has risen faster than ever, exceeding all projections and raising new questions about the global capacity to contain global warming.
CO2 emissions from global road transport could peak as early as 2025 thanks to the rise of electric vehicles and carbon regulations, according to an ICCT report.
CO2 emissions from global road transport could peak as early as 2025 thanks to the rise of electric vehicles and carbon regulations, according to an ICCT report.
Russia faces a major oil spill in the Kerch Strait. With 30,000 tons of soil already collected, criticisms are growing regarding the management and measures taken to mitigate the impacts.
Russia faces a major oil spill in the Kerch Strait. With 30,000 tons of soil already collected, criticisms are growing regarding the management and measures taken to mitigate the impacts.
The sinking of two oil tankers in the Kerch Strait has caused an oil spill, threatening 200,000 tons of soil and severely impacting local coasts and ecosystems.
Global temperatures in 2023 and 2024 shattered records, leaving climatologists grappling with urgent questions about the causes of such unprecedented overheating.
Global temperatures in 2023 and 2024 shattered records, leaving climatologists grappling with urgent questions about the causes of such unprecedented overheating.
Kazakhstan announced the decontamination of over 360,000 m³ of oil waste inherited from the Soviet era, marking a major effort to reduce pollution on the Caspian Sea coast, which has suffered from decades of environmental degradation.
Kazakhstan announced the decontamination of over 360,000 m³ of oil waste inherited from the Soviet era, marking a major effort to reduce pollution on the Caspian Sea coast, which has suffered from decades of environmental degradation.
The year 2024 marks a climate turning point: the threshold of 1.5°C global warming is surpassed, fueling natural disasters and increasing pressure for more ambitious climate commitments.
The year 2024 marks a climate turning point: the threshold of 1.5°C global warming is surpassed, fueling natural disasters and increasing pressure for more ambitious climate commitments.
With a 1.5°C increase over the historical average, China experiences its hottest autumn since 1961. This phenomenon illustrates the growing impacts of climate change on the country and raises global concerns.
At COP29 in Baku, NGOs criticized the G20 for lacking leadership on energy transition. Despite progress on climate finance, the absence of commitments on fossil fuels provoked sharp disappointment.
At COP29 in Baku, NGOs criticized the G20 for lacking leadership on energy transition. Despite progress on climate finance, the absence of commitments on fossil fuels provoked sharp disappointment.
A Carbon Tracker report warns about the shortcomings in oil and gas companies' commitments to curb methane leaks, despite their critical climate impact.
A Carbon Tracker report warns about the shortcomings in oil and gas companies' commitments to curb methane leaks, despite their critical climate impact.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
Despite the rise of renewable energy, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels continue to grow, reaching 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024. The long-awaited peak remains uncertain, raising critical questions at COP29.
CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach a record 37.4 billion tons in 2024, according to the Global Carbon Budget report. Despite progress in energy transition, fossil fuel demand persists.
Facing the threat of surpassing the 1.5 °C warming threshold, COP29 calls for an ambitious energy transformation. IRENA emphasizes the need to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030 to keep the energy transition on track.
Facing the threat of surpassing the 1.5 °C warming threshold, COP29 calls for an ambitious energy transformation. IRENA emphasizes the need to triple renewable energy capacities by 2030 to keep the energy transition on track.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
As COP29 approaches, several indicators suggest progress in the fight against climate change. From reducing warming projections to stabilizing fossil emissions and renewable energy growth, the outlook is less bleak.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.
The European Union recorded a historic reduction of 8.3% in its greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. This decrease marks progress towards climate goals, yet challenges remain to achieve carbon neutrality.

Advertising