Dutch Climate Minister Includes LionLink in Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework

The Dutch Climate and Green Growth Minister, Sophie Hermans, has recently announced the inclusion of LionLink in the country’s latest Offshore Wind Energy Development Framework. LionLink, touted as the first direct-current hybrid interconnector, will utilize the offshore grid connection of the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands to link both the Dutch and UK onshore high-voltage grids.

This innovative interconnector not only facilitates the exchange of electricity between the two countries but also serves as an additional high-voltage link for enhanced energy connectivity.

TenneT, the Dutch transmission system operator, is set to make investments in the LionLink project in collaboration with UK partner National Grid Ventures (NGV). However, before the hybrid interconnector can be realized, certain steps need to be taken, including the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth finalizing the market design details for wind farm developers in the tender process for Nederwiek 3.

Furthermore, the effective operation of the new interconnector necessitates the establishment of new market coupling arrangements between the European Union and the United Kingdom, as outlined by the Dutch TSO.

Future Plans for LionLink and Nederwiek 3 Offshore Wind Farm

The offshore wind development tender for Nederwiek 3 is scheduled to be launched in 2026, coinciding with the awarding of the Nederwiek 2 site and potentially the Nederwiek 1B site, whose tendering has been postponed.

The LionLink project was initiated in April 2023, with the Netherlands and the UK unveiling their plan to construct this groundbreaking electricity link to interconnect offshore wind resources between the two nations. Following this announcement, National Grid Lion Link Limited applied for the necessary license from the UK energy market regulator, Ofgem, to operate the interconnector in Great Britain.

In June 2023, TenneT contracted GEOxyz to conduct geophysical and geotechnical surveys for the export cable route of the Nederwiek 3 offshore wind farm. Subsequently, in May 2024, Next Geosolutions commenced a cable route survey for the LionLink line in the UK.