Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 44, paragraph 139 of the White Paper, The future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union cm. 9593, what steps the Government is taking to ensure the timely completion of the interconnectors to Belgium, Norway and Denmark; and what the estimated completion date is of each of those interconnectors.

Interconnectors are a key part of a flexible energy system, which the UK and EU have a shared interest in. The UK has a market-led approach to interconnection, regulated by Ofgem, that has succeeded in bringing interconnectors forward that are in the interests of GB consumers. We are in regular dialogue with interconnector developers and with the governments in each of the countries.

The Nemo Link interconnector to Belgium and the NSL interconnector to Norway are already under construction; National Grid is targeting completion dates of 2019 and 2021, respectively. The VikingLink project to Denmark has received initial regulatory approvals from Ofgem and in Denmark; National Grid currently expects the project to complete in 2023. A further project to Norway, NorthConnect, has received initial regulatory approval by Ofgem and is currently seeking approvals in Norway.