ZEEBURGGE BELGIUM - The German transmission system operator Amprion and its Belgian counterpart, Elia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) relating to the construction of a second cross-border interconnector.

Acccording to both companies, the signing ceremony for the MoU took place against the background of today’s Belgian-German Energy Summit in Zeebrugge, which was attended by the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the Belgian Federal Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten and the German State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Dr Patrick Graichen.

Elia and Amprion will now work on a joint study to explore which configuration and technology are most suited to meeting the objectives of the project. A concept note is due to be published by mid-2024. The final investment decision should depend on several criteria. For example, the project should contribute to the integration of renewable energy into the energy systems of both countries, strengthen their security of supply and have a positive impact on the European electricity market (price convergence). If the business case is positive, the interconnector should be commissioned after 2037. This is because additional reinforcements would need to be carried out across the domestic grids to optimally integrate the interconnector into the system.

“Together, Elia and Amprion aim to decarbonise the energy system in Europe and to strengthen security of supply and system stability. Electrification is crucial for decarbonising the energy system. We already know that the demand for electricity in the climate-neutral energy system in Europe will increase significantly. To meet this demand, we need to integrate large amounts of renewable energy and transport it to where it is needed. Therefore, exchanging energy in Europe is particularly important for achieving the climate goals. Accordingly, we must expand the transport capacities for electricity between Belgium, Germany and the whole of Europe. An important milestone to achieve these goals is the realisation of a second interconnector between Belgium and Germany“, says Dr Hendrik Neumann (CTO, Amprion).

“Elia Group’s study on the electrification of industry has shown that electrification and access to renewable energy offer long-term price stability,” says Elia Group CEO Chris Peeters. “

Source: Elia Group, Amprion