An integrated approach to offshore electricity transmission

In July 2010 the UK Government Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), together with the UK Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets E-Serve division (Ofgem E-Serve) set out their intention to consult further on the enduring regulatory regime for offshore electricity transmission. National Grid has undertaken a conceptual design exercise, examining an integrated onshore-offshore grid solution from multiple stakeholder perspectives. The results of this study indicate there are significant opportunities for design optimisation that yield capital cost savings of ~25%+; reduced planning, environmental and supply chain impacts; and "future proofing" the network for further evolution and European integration.