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AQUIND Interconnector

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1296: 217: 266:, who had represented constituents' concerns with the development, as an "absolutely uncontrollable woman" and a "threat to national security". Mordaunt subsequently said the Conservative Party’s code of conduct should apply to all members, including donors, and suggested that party colleagues should not accept funds from Temerko. Aquind and Temerko had donated £1.1 million to the Conservative Party, including to 21 MPs and ministers. 290:
consultation document; this consultation was intended to close on 29 January 2021. In January 2021, the CRE and Ofgem announced that they had discontinued a public consultation for the AQUIND Interconnector, as this exemption request process is only available to interconnector projects developed between EU member states, the UK ceased to be a member state and the
244:, are both substantial donors to the Conservative party and MPs, and that "Three Conservative ministers have already had to recuse themselves from the decision-making process over the Aquind undersea cable because of their links to the company." Almost 10% of MPs have received donations from companies linked to Fedotov. The minister and peer 281:
In July 2019, Portsmouth Council formally objected to the plans, on the grounds that they would cause unacceptable disruption in a built-up area. Between February and April 2019, the company undertook a statutory consultation exercise. In November 2019, Aquind submitted a formal planning application
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The cable is proposed to run between the Lovedean substation in Hampshire in England to the Barnabos substation in the Normandy region of France. Landfall is proposed at Eastney in Portsmouth (UK), and Pourville in Seine-Maritime (France). The route is 242 km (150 miles) long, with 187 km
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refused permission for the project, stating that he was not satisfied that "more appropriate alternatives to the proposed route" had been fully considered. In November 2022, that ruling by the Business Secretary was the subject of a judicial review at the High Court brought by Aquind Ltd. Justice
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and the Commission de Régulation de l'Energie (CRE) a request for partial exemption from Articles 19(2) and 19(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 concerning Use of Revenues obligations, for a period of 25 years from the start of commercial operations. In December 2020, Ofgem and CRE published a joint
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In spite of attracting criticism from some political figures - independent research reported in a number of Energy industry publications in 2024 indicates strong public support for the project locally. Despite the potential electric energy savings being a negligible £3.15 a year.
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In October 2021, AQUIND vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and stated that it would "not stand silently and accept slander based on xenophobia and the principles of guilt by association." The company stated that it was considering taking legal action against the media involved.
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After the decision in January 2021 by the French regional government in Normandy to refuse permission, the company stated that this "does not prevent AQUIND from securing the relevant French planning consents required to construct and operate AQUIND Interconnector".
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than the conventional alternating current (AC) technology used in most existing electricity networks. Land cables would be laid mainly under existing roads to minimize the environmental impact of the development.
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Whilst some local MPs and the local campaign group Stop AQUIND reasserted their opposition to the plans, public support for the project has since been reported in a number of industry publications.
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A decision on the project is currently awaited from the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. Under the previous Government, the project was refused by then Business Secretary,
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The project has faced local opposition and attracted controversy due to claims regarding its environmental impact and links between the company's backers and the
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in January 2022. This decision was subsequently overturned by judicial review in the High Court and a new decision is currently awaited from the UK Government.
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The HVDC link would consist of four main cables, together with two much thinner fibre optic cables for operational control and communications. HVDC involves
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A final decision by the British government on whether to permit construction was postponed several times. On 21 October 2021, the business secretary
522: 325:, also voiced his opposition. The following month, Mordaunt handed in a petition against the project. Another protest was planned for July 2021. 305: 964: 484: 1082:"Protesters voice opposition to controversial Aquind interconnector plans with symbolic line of defiance stretching a mile in Milton" 339:
In October 2021, after growing criticism, the company vowed to "continue the development of the AQUIND Interconnector project".
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MW circuits, each with its own control and protection systems and auxiliary power supplies. The DC circuits would run at 320
249: 1137: 189: 322: 301: 229: 260: 468: 1058: 245: 308:' (ACER) decision to reject an application for exemption pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 714/2009. 180:(116 miles) under the sea, 25 km (16 miles) on land in the UK and 30 km (19 miles) on land in France. 154:
Independent research carried out in Portsmouth by Savanta indicates significant public support for the project
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Strong public support for the project was reported in a number of Energy industry publications in 2024.
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When the project was announced in June 2016, the company said that the project would come online in 2021.
148: 650:"Aquind: Portsmouth MPs and grassroots campaigners urge business secretary to refuse interconnector" 311:
On 26 January 2021, the French authorities in Normandy refused to give the project the green light.
1138:"Statement made by Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy" 291: 1111:"Portsmouth MP delivers petition signed by 'thousands' against Aquind ahead of protest in Eastney" 888:"Council deals interconnector firm blow after opposing plans for cables from France to Portsmouth" 597:"Russian tycoon's link to alleged corruption in leaked files raises questions for Tory ministers" 161: 317:
In May 2021, there was another protest in Portsmouth. The Conservative MP for Portsmouth North,
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claims that the cable and its associated data connections pose a risk to UK national security.
565:"Anne-Marie Trevelyan 'risked misleading parliament by omission' over energy project lobbying" 228:
Campaigners and local MPs have urged the cancellation of the project. The Portsmouth South MP
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set a new deadline of 21 January 2022 for deciding on the planning application.
1234:"UK must review decision to block UK-France power cable project - court ruling" 916:"AQUIND launches statutory consultation on proposals for AQUIND Interconnector" 862: 351: 343: 329: 318: 263: 237: 168: 39: 204:
kV, and operate as symmetrical monopoles. The project is expected to cost £1.1
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Harry Davies; Rowena Mason; Jillian Ambrose; Andrew Roth (4 October 2021).
1140:. Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 21 October 2021 808:"Penny Mordaunt suggests colleagues should not take funds from Tory donor" 259:
After the development had been refused in January 2022, Temerko described
625:"Une étude environnementale validée pour le projet Aquind près de Dieppe" 297:
In October 2020, there was a protest against the project in Portsmouth.
1259:"Aquind: Government loses bid to block cross-Channel electricity cable" 321:, called the proposals "sinister". The Labour MP for Portsmouth South, 78: 731:"Kwasi Kwarteng accused of misleading claims over power cable project" 987:"Portsmouth protest over Aquind Cross-Channel electricity link plan" 915: 546:"Portsmouth Voices Strong Support for AQUIND's Interconnector Link" 57: 1208:"Aquind Ltd brings judicial review against Channel cable decision" 523:"Portsmouth shows strong support for AQUIND's interconnector link" 314:
In March 2021, the examination by Portsmouth City Council closed.
1005:"Judgment of the General Court (Second Chamber) 18 November 2020" 938:"Cross-Channel £1.1bn electricity link plan submitted by Aquind" 678:"Portsmouth protesters march against Aquind Cross-Channel cable" 562: 1338:
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (United Kingdom)
35: 1033:"French authorities reject UK-France cross-Channel cable work" 417:"Aquind cross-Channel cable permission refused by government" 1328:
Proposed electric power infrastructure in the United Kingdom
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submarine power cable proposed to link France and England.
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George Greenwood; Emmanuele Midolo (25 November 2021).
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to block the cable was overturned by judicial review.
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Aquind's project has already been mired in controversy
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newspaper reported that the promoters of the project,
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Greenwood, George; Midolo, Emanuele (12 March 2022).
704:"Aquind Cross-Channel cable a security risk, says MP" 1318:
Electrical interconnectors to and from Great Britain
863:"UK to double French energy supplies with new cable" 908: 833: 779: 777: 248:was a former director of Aquind and another peer, 799: 755:Ambrose, Jillian; Davies, Harry (10 March 2021). 722: 588: 442: 440: 438: 1333:Proposed electric power infrastructure in France 1309: 785:"AQUIND Refutes Recent Allegations in the Media" 642: 94:Refused permission by UK Government January 2022 1178: 1160:"Aquind cross-Channel cable decision postponed" 1027: 1025: 831: 774: 306:Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators 1102: 825: 435: 300:In November 2020, Aquind won an appeal in the 196:The link was to be built as two separate 1,000 1130: 1073: 754: 728: 556: 1323:Proposed electric power transmission systems 1251: 1152: 1022: 979: 696: 670: 411: 409: 956: 1294: 1059:"Aquind interconnector examination closes" 406: 880: 854: 215: 540: 538: 536: 517: 515: 513: 501: 342:On 20 January 2022, Business Secretary 1310: 497: 495: 493: 997: 805: 962: 930: 861:Kelly, Jane-Frances (13 June 2016). 533: 510: 383: 381: 379: 377: 375: 373: 371: 1108: 490: 302:General Court of the European Union 16:Proposed HVDC submarine power cable 13: 1304: – protest website. 1079: 347:Lieven has reserved her decision. 285:In June 2020, Aquind submitted to 261:Minister of State for Trade Policy 14: 1349: 1281: 985: 729:Jessica Elgot (10 October 2021). 502:Johnson, Thomas (July 11, 2024). 368: 350:In January 2023, the decision by 252:is a consultant to the company. 963:Russell, Tom (28 January 2021). 183: 1226: 1200: 806:Mason, Rowena (11 March 2022). 748: 617: 469:"TYNDP 2020 Project Collection" 1109:Fishwick, Ben (14 June 2021). 583:a controversial energy project 478: 462: 211: 1: 860: 361: 1080:Deeks, Steve (23 May 2021). 485:Savanta - Portsmouth Polling 7: 220:Protesters on the steps of 10: 1354: 273: 1188:. AQUIND. 27 January 2021 1061:. Portsmouth City Council 190:lower transmission losses 133: 121: 111: 103: 98: 90: 85: 74: 64: 53: 45: 31: 26: 21: 787:. AQUIND. 8 October 2021 292:Brexit transition period 282:for the link in the UK. 174: 86:Construction information 631:(in French). 2024-06-09 448:"AQUIND Interconnector" 389:"AQUIND Interconnector" 1265:. BBC. 24 January 2023 1263:BBC News - UK politics 550:Energy Business Review 225: 1090:. Portsmouth, England 918:. Aquind Consultation 896:. Portsmouth, England 658:. Portsmouth, England 219: 145:AQUIND Interconnector 99:Technical information 22:AQUIND Interconnector 222:Portsmouth Guildhall 91:Construction started 1214:. 23 November 2022 1009:InfoCuria Case-law 993:. 10 October 2020. 944:. 15 November 2019 226: 162:Conservative Party 1166:. 21 October 2021 1039:. 26 January 2021 423:. 20 January 2022 242:Alexander Temerko 141: 140: 46:General direction 1345: 1298: 1293: 1292: 1290:Official website 1275: 1274: 1272: 1270: 1255: 1249: 1248: 1246: 1245: 1230: 1224: 1223: 1221: 1219: 1204: 1198: 1197: 1195: 1193: 1182: 1176: 1175: 1173: 1171: 1156: 1150: 1149: 1147: 1145: 1134: 1128: 1127: 1125: 1123: 1106: 1100: 1099: 1097: 1095: 1077: 1071: 1070: 1068: 1066: 1055: 1049: 1048: 1046: 1044: 1029: 1020: 1019: 1017: 1015: 1001: 995: 994: 983: 977: 976: 974: 972: 960: 954: 953: 951: 949: 934: 928: 927: 925: 923: 912: 906: 905: 903: 901: 884: 878: 877: 875: 873: 858: 852: 851: 849: 847: 837: 829: 823: 822: 820: 818: 803: 797: 796: 794: 792: 781: 772: 771: 769: 767: 752: 746: 745: 743: 741: 726: 720: 719: 717: 715: 700: 694: 693: 691: 689: 674: 668: 667: 665: 663: 646: 640: 639: 637: 636: 621: 615: 614: 609: 607: 592: 586: 585: 580: 578: 569: 560: 554: 553: 542: 531: 530: 519: 508: 507: 499: 488: 482: 476: 466: 460: 459: 457: 455: 444: 433: 432: 430: 428: 413: 404: 403: 401: 399: 385: 207: 203: 199: 128: 19: 18: 1353: 1352: 1348: 1347: 1346: 1344: 1343: 1342: 1308: 1307: 1288: 1287: 1284: 1279: 1278: 1268: 1266: 1257: 1256: 1252: 1243: 1241: 1232: 1231: 1227: 1217: 1215: 1206: 1205: 1201: 1191: 1189: 1184: 1183: 1179: 1169: 1167: 1158: 1157: 1153: 1143: 1141: 1136: 1135: 1131: 1121: 1119: 1107: 1103: 1093: 1091: 1078: 1074: 1064: 1062: 1057: 1056: 1052: 1042: 1040: 1031: 1030: 1023: 1013: 1011: 1003: 1002: 998: 984: 980: 970: 968: 961: 957: 947: 945: 936: 935: 931: 921: 919: 914: 913: 909: 899: 897: 886: 885: 881: 871: 869: 859: 855: 845: 843: 830: 826: 816: 814: 804: 800: 790: 788: 783: 782: 775: 765: 763: 753: 749: 739: 737: 727: 723: 713: 711: 702: 701: 697: 687: 685: 676: 675: 671: 661: 659: 648: 647: 643: 634: 632: 623: 622: 618: 605: 603: 593: 589: 576: 574: 567: 561: 557: 544: 543: 534: 521: 520: 511: 500: 491: 483: 479: 467: 463: 453: 451: 446: 445: 436: 426: 424: 415: 414: 407: 397: 395: 387: 386: 369: 364: 276: 246:Martin Callanan 214: 205: 201: 197: 186: 177: 126: 112:Type of current 107:Submarine cable 69:English Channel 17: 12: 11: 5: 1351: 1341: 1340: 1335: 1330: 1325: 1320: 1306: 1305: 1299: 1283: 1282:External links 1280: 1277: 1276: 1250: 1225: 1199: 1177: 1151: 1129: 1101: 1072: 1050: 1021: 996: 978: 955: 929: 907: 879: 853: 824: 798: 773: 747: 721: 710:. 13 July 2021 695: 669: 641: 616: 587: 555: 532: 509: 489: 477: 461: 434: 405: 366: 365: 363: 360: 352:Kwasi Kwarteng 344:Kwasi Kwarteng 330:Kwasi Kwarteng 323:Stephen Morgan 319:Penny Mordaunt 275: 272: 264:Penny Mordaunt 238:Viktor Fedotov 230:Stephen Morgan 213: 210: 185: 182: 176: 173: 169:Kwasi Kwarteng 147:is a proposed 139: 138: 135: 131: 130: 123: 119: 118: 113: 109: 108: 105: 101: 100: 96: 95: 92: 88: 87: 83: 82: 76: 72: 71: 66: 65:Passes through 62: 61: 55: 51: 50: 47: 43: 42: 40:United Kingdom 33: 29: 28: 24: 23: 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1350: 1339: 1336: 1334: 1331: 1329: 1326: 1324: 1321: 1319: 1316: 1315: 1313: 1303: 1300: 1297: 1291: 1286: 1285: 1264: 1260: 1254: 1239: 1235: 1229: 1213: 1209: 1203: 1187: 1181: 1165: 1161: 1155: 1139: 1133: 1118: 1117: 1112: 1105: 1089: 1088: 1083: 1076: 1060: 1054: 1038: 1034: 1028: 1026: 1010: 1006: 1000: 992: 988: 982: 967:. 4C Offshore 966: 959: 943: 939: 933: 917: 911: 895: 894: 889: 883: 868: 864: 857: 841: 836: 828: 813: 809: 802: 786: 780: 778: 762: 758: 751: 736: 732: 725: 709: 705: 699: 684:. 4 July 2021 683: 679: 673: 657: 656: 651: 645: 630: 626: 620: 613: 602: 598: 591: 584: 573: 566: 559: 551: 547: 541: 539: 537: 528: 524: 518: 516: 514: 505: 498: 496: 494: 487:, 9 July 2024 486: 481: 474: 470: 465: 449: 443: 441: 439: 422: 418: 412: 410: 394: 390: 384: 382: 380: 378: 376: 374: 372: 367: 359: 355: 353: 348: 345: 340: 337: 333: 331: 326: 324: 320: 315: 312: 309: 307: 303: 298: 295: 293: 288: 283: 279: 271: 267: 265: 262: 257: 253: 251: 250:James Wharton 247: 243: 239: 235: 231: 223: 218: 209: 194: 191: 184:Specification 181: 172: 170: 165: 163: 158: 155: 152: 150: 146: 136: 132: 124: 120: 117: 114: 110: 106: 102: 97: 93: 89: 84: 80: 77: 73: 70: 67: 63: 59: 56: 52: 48: 44: 41: 37: 34: 30: 25: 20: 1267:. 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Index

France
United Kingdom
Le Havre
English Channel
Portsmouth
HVDC
HVDC
Conservative Party
Kwasi Kwarteng
lower transmission losses

Portsmouth Guildhall
Stephen Morgan
Viktor Fedotov
Alexander Temerko
Martin Callanan
James Wharton
Minister of State for Trade Policy
Penny Mordaunt
Ofgem
Brexit transition period
General Court of the European Union
Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators
Penny Mordaunt
Stephen Morgan
Kwasi Kwarteng
Kwasi Kwarteng
Kwasi Kwarteng

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