Energy Insights

Another Delay For The Return Of The IFA1 Interconnector

Tom Coyne
18/10/2021

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Today the National Grid has given an update on the IFA1 interconnector in Kent. The interconnector, which connects a subsea cable transporting electricity from France to Britain, s uffered a fire in September, reducing the IFA1 interconnector’s capacity by 50%.

The National Grid has confirmed that they will reduce the planned outage time of the interconnector three days earlier than previously expected. Whilst the interconnector was originally meant to return to operationalisation on 23rd October, the National Grid confirmed, “We have been able to reduce the outage time of 1,000 MW of capacity at the IFA interconnector so that it will come back to service on 20th October, ahead of the 23rd October date we had previously published.”

However, this positive news has been dampened by a new forecast from the National Grid that estimates that a return to full capacity will take almost a year longer than expected, with the date being pushed back from October 2022 until May 2023.

We are completely focused on getting IFA safely returned to service as soon as possible and ensuring we are able to support the security of supply”.

Whilst news of an early return to operations for some of the interconnector will be welcomed amid a growing energy crisis, consumers and businesses alike will be less pleased to hear about the delayed return to full capacity.