Portfolio

Overview

ElecLink was set up in May 2011 as a joint-venture project company, owned by STAR (51%) and Groupe Eurotunnel (49%), to develop a 1000MW electricity interconnector between France and Great Britain.

The link will be placed inside the existing Channel Tunnel infrastructure. This allows for a competitive build cost and shorter development time frame compared to traditional marine solutions, allowing ElecLink to become operational at a time when grid margins are expected to be tight.

The increase of electricity interconnection capacity is a priority in Europe to provide greater energy security, optimise energy production across the continent and reduce the risk of supply volatility linked to the development of renewable energies, especially offshore wind. ElecLink's project is consistent with this objective and received the backing of the British and French governments, as well as the EU.

During STAR’s period of ownership, ElecLink received all the regulatory permissions required to build, own and operate a privately funded 1000MW High Voltage DC electrical interconnector connecting the UK and France through the Channel Tunnel, including a 25 year regulatory exemption granted by CRE and Ofgem and ratified by the EU. In addition, the project secured grid connections on both sides of the Channel and engaged highly credible Engineering Procurement Construction counterparties to construct the link. The ElecLink project was also selected as a European Project of Common Interest (“PCI”).

In August 2016, STAR sold its 51% stake in ElecLink to its partner Groupe Eurotunnel.