The following is a list of high-voltage transmission links in the United Kingdom, including some under construction or proposed.
During 2021, interconnectors provided 28TWh of electricity to the UK, which equates to 10% of total demand, whilst in 2009 this figure was 7TWh.[1]
Interconnectors allow the trade of electricity between countries with excess renewable generation and those with high demand. Interconnectors play a key part in balancing variable renewable generation, for example the North Sea Link allows the UK to export excess power to Norway during windy periods to conserve Norwegian hydro stocks and import Norwegian hydro power on less windy days.[2]
During 2022, the UK exported record amounts of power to mainland Europe, helping to alleviate the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on European security of supply.[3]
Per the below list, the United Kingdom has an international interconnector capacity of 9,700 MW.[4]
| Name | Developers | Substation UK | Substation 2 | Length (km) | Voltage (kV) | Power (MW) | Operational | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Grid Interconnectors and RTE | 73 | ±270 | 2,000 | 1986 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| National Grid Interconnectors and TenneT | 260 | 450 | 1,000 | 2011 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| EirGrid Interconnector Designated Activity Company | 261 | ±200 | 500 | 2012 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| National Grid Interconnectors and Elia | 140 | 400 | 1,000 | 2019 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| National Grid Interconnectors and RTE | 204 | ±320 | 1,000 | 2021 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| National Grid Interconnectors and Statnett | 720 | ±515 | 1,400 | 2021 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| Getlink | 51 | ±320 | 1,000 | 2022 | Channel Tunnel HVDC | ||||
| National Grid Interconnectors and Energinet | 765 | 525 | 1,400 | 2023 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| Element Power & Partners Group | 190 | 320 | 500 | 2024 (planned) | submarine HVDC | ||||
| Meridiam, Allianz and Kansai Electric Power | 725 | 525 | 1,400 | 2028 (planned) | submarine HVDC | ||||
| GridLink Interconnector Ltd | 140 | 525 | 1,400 | 2027 (proposed) | submarine HVDC | ||||
| Xlinks Ltd | 3,800 | ±(TBD) | 3,600 | 2029 (proposed) | submarine, dual HVDC | ||||
| RTE and FAB Link Limited |  L'Étang-Bertrand (lieu-dit Menuel) | 220 | ±320 | 1,250 | 2030/31 (proposed) | submarine HVDC | |||
| AQUIND | AQUIND Limited | Lovedean | Barnabos | 240 | ±320 | 2,000 | 2026 (proposed) | submarine HVDC | |
| LionLink[5] | National Grid Ventures and TenneT | TBD. Most likely:Friston, Suffolk or Walberswick[6] | TBD | TBD | TBD | 1,800 | 2030+(proposed)[7] | submarine HVDCwith ability to connect to offshore wind farms | |
| Nautilus[8] | National Grid Ventures and Elia | TBD. Most likely:Friston, Suffolk or Isle of Grain |  TBD | TBD | TBD | 1,400 | 2028(proposed)[9] | submarine HVDCwith ability to connect to offshore wind farms |
Per the below list, the United Kingdom has,, a national interconnector capacity of MW.[4]
| Name | Developers | Substation 1 | Substation 2 | Length (km) | Voltage (kV) | Power (MW) | Operational | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63.5 | 250 | 500 | 2001 | submarine HVDC | |||||
| 160 | 320 | 1,200 | 2019 | submarine HVDC | |||||
| National Grid plc and ScottishPower Transmission | 422 | 600 | 2,250 | 2019 | submarine HVDC | ||||
| Caithness HVDC switching station, near Wick | 260 | 320 | 600 | 2024 | submarine HVDC |