NorthConnect Gets EU Boost

NorthConnect, a power link between Scotland and Norway has received European Union support with an agreement to part fund the development phase of the 650 km interconnector.

NorthConnect will receive over EUR 10 million from the Connecting Europe Facility, the EU’s funding support programme for infrastructure.

Richard Blanchfield, NorthConnect’s deputy project manager, said: “The decision demonstrates that the European Union considers the NorthConnect project important to achieving the strategic goals of increasing security of energy supply, and contributing to sustainable development by integrating renewable energy sources across the European Union.”

Tommy Løvstad, NorthConnect’s CEO and project manager, said: “This is a huge milestone for the project, everyone on the team is very pleased. We look forward to further co-operation with INEA and the Connecting Europe Facility. Being selected to receive funding from the EU is a very positive boost to the project’s momentum, and will give the project owners important support in the challenging development environment.”

The project is due to start construction in 2019, and the completion is planned in 2022.