13 Nov 2015
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Plan to build new interconnector convertor station at Daedalus airfield
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Project will provide second electricity link between Great Britain and France
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Plans will be on show at exhibitions to be held in the Fareham and Gosport areas of Hampshire in December 2015
Plans for a major new energy infrastructure project linking Great Britain's electricity transmission network to France will be on display at a series of information events to be held in December. National Grid will hold exhibitions at a number of venues in the Fareham and Gosport areas of Hampshire.
The events will explain the proposals are for a new high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity interconnector, called IFA2, between Hampshire in Great Britain and Normandy in France and a proposed electricity convertor station at Daedalus airfield.
It would be the second interconnector to France and will be capable of exchanging 1000MW of power between Britain and France. The link will help enhance the security, affordability and sustainability of energy supply to both countries.
The interconnector is made up of undersea cables running for over 200km between the two countries, which would connect at either end to a converter station. The converter stations convert the forms of alternating current electricity used domestically in France and Britain into direct current electricity that can be used for transmission between the countries.
In the UK, the location proposed for the converter station is at Daedalus Airfield, near Fareham. This is a brownfield site that has already been identified for development by Fareham Borough Council.
Interconnectors also require a connection to the national electricity grid. The IFA2 interconnector would connect to the electricity network at an existing National Grid site near Chilling, with subsea and underground cables running from Daedalus to Chilling.
To offer local people a chance to understand and shape the proposals, National Grid is holding a series of public events.
Morris Bray, IFA2 Project Director for National Grid, said:'Interconnectors have an increasingly important role to play in providing alternative sources of electricity for this country and keeping supplies safe, secure and affordable.'
'We have worked extensively with local authorities and stakeholders to find an appropriate site for IFA2 and are now delighted to present information on the proposals publicly. We want to hear local people's thoughts on the proposals and hope to see as many people as possible at our consultation events.'
The events will take place on the following dates and times:
Tuesday 8th December - Lockswood Community Centre, Locks Heath, 1.30pm-5.30pm
Wednesday 9th December - St Faith's Parish Centre, Lee-on-the-Solent, 4pm - 8pm
Thursday 10th December - Stubbington Baptist Church, Stubbington, 3pm-7pm
Friday 11th December - Warsash Victory Hall, Warsash, 4pm - 8pm
Saturday 12th December - Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington, 10am - 4pm
For more information, contact the community information line by phone on 0800 0194 576 or visit the project website: www.ifa2interconnector.com.