IFA2 INFORMATION LEAFLET AND NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY January Page 1

Transcription

1 IFA2 INFORMATION LEAFLET AND NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY 10 January Page 1

2 Contents 1. INTRODUCTION 3 2. THE PROJECT 4 3. PROPOSALS 6 4. CONSULTATION CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE 15 Page 2

3 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background National Grid IFA2 Limited and Réseau de Transport d'electricité (RTE) are working together to develop an electricity interconnector project, known as IFA2. This project is to connect the British and French electricity networks which would enable the import and export of power between the two countries. IFA2 will be the second electrical interconnector between the UK and France. The first electrical interconnector between the two countries has been in operation since 1986 and is jointly owned by National Grid and RTE. The European Commission has identified IFA2 as a Project of Common Interest (PCI). This means it should deliver benefits for at least two European Member States, further support market integration and competition, enhance security of energy supply, and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. PCIs are governed under Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 on guidelines for trans-european energy infrastructure, referred to as the TEN-E Regulation. Information about PCIs is available here: Larger print copies of this document are available on request. 1.2 About us IFA2 is a joint project between National Grid and the French transmission system owner and operator, Réseau de Transport d Électricité (RTE). We already operate one link to France with RTE, known as IFA. National Grid is a major UK company which owns and manages gas and electricity infrastructure in the UK and in the northeastern USA. In the UK, National Grid runs the systems that deliver gas and electricity across the entire country and provides power directly to millions of customers. As such, National Grid holds a vital position at the centre of the energy system, joining everything up. National Grid IFA2 Ltd is the company that National Grid has formed to develop and bring forward the IFA2 project, and holds an interconnector licence. We are legally separate from other companies within National Grid. This is enforced by the energy regulator Ofgem. National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (NGET) will have responsibility for the substation connection which does not form part of the consultation. RTE will have responsibility for the French elements of the project. 1.3 Document history This document is an update of a Non Technical Summary prepared during the consenting phase of the project. This was originally published on the project website ( on 14 March The update reflects the fact that the project has now achieved all required consents and will shortly commence construction. Page 3

4 2. THE PROJECT 2.1 Overview IFA2 will be an electricity interconnector. This is a connection between the electricity transmission systems of two different countries. An interconnector allows countries to share power, helping to ensure secure, sustainable and affordable energy supplies. Figure 1: How interconnectors work In simple terms, an interconnector is made up of two converter stations one in each country connected by cables. A converter station switches electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and is needed because different types of current are used to transmit electricity domestically and over long distances. We use DC for sending electricity along the high voltage subsea cables, while AC is used in each country s transmission system. A substation is also needed as a point of connection to the national electricity network. 2.2 The need for the project Interconnectors provide a responsible and efficient way of addressing Great Britain s energy needs. AFFORDABILITY: IFA2 will connect to France, which in turn connects to the wider European electricity market. By giving Great Britain access to the European electricity market, IFA2 should help create downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices. This is because the wholesale electricity price in Great Britain is forecast to be higher than in France for many years to come. We estimate that each 1,000MW of new interconnector capacity has the potential to reduce wholesale prices in Great Britain by up to 2%. SECURITY OF SUPPLY: Interconnection gives access to a wide range of electricity generation sources and provides a means to bring in extra supplies from elsewhere when not enough is generated to meet need at that time. This increases our energy security if demand rises or energy generation falls suddenly in Great Britain. SUSTAINABILITY: Interconnectors help manage the fact that not all electricity sources can generate consistently and predictably and that electricity cannot yet be stored efficiently on a large scale. They do this by providing a means to pass on surplus energy between countries when too much is generated at once to be used domestically. This should make a significant contribution to forging a lower carbon economy both in Great Britain and Europe. 2.3 The route The IFA2 interconnector will connect the electricity systems of Great Britain and France using high-voltage subsea cables from Normandy in France to Fareham in Hampshire. The grid connection point in France will be at the Tourbe 400KV substation in Normandy, where there is also commercially available land for a converter station adjacent to the site. In Great Britain the grid connection point will be a new substation at an existing National Grid site off Chilling Lane near Warsash, Hampshire. The converter station will be on a site near Daedalus Airfield, between the communities of Fareham, Stubbington and Lee-on-the-Solent. Page 4

5 Figure 2: The route 2.4 Technology Converter stations A converter station converts electricity between Alternating Current (AC), used in each country s transmission systems, to Direct Current (DC), used for transporting electricity along the subsea cables. A typical converter station includes transformers, equipment similar to a typical substation, and power electronics involving solid-state transistor-based valves that convert waveforms between AC and DC, and a control room Cables IFA2 will use different types of cables to link its component parts. The cables connecting the two converter stations will use high-voltage direct current (HVDC). The cables will be armoured and will be buried under the seabed for the majority of the route. Sections of these cables will also run underground from the point they make landfall in Great Britain to the converter station. The connection between the converter station and connection point at Chilling will use high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables that will run from the converter station to the sea (buried in the seabed) to a landfall at Brownwich near Chilling then underground to the substation at Chilling. Our proposals provide for the use of either Cross Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) HVDC cables, and XLPE HVAC cables. Both cable types are used in this type of application around the world. 2.5 Project status IFA2 has now achieved all required consents within the UK. This includes a Marine Licence granted by the Marine Management Organisation, and full planning permission from Fareham Borough Council. As a result, the Marine Management Organisation, acting as the National Competent Authority (NCA) under the TEN-E Regulation, confirmed on 24 November 2017 that National Grid IFA2 Limited had attained the statutory consents required to install the IFA2 Interconnector under the UK consenting regime. National Grid IFA2 Limited will begin construction in early Page 5

6 3. PROPOSALS 3.1 Subsea cable routeing Route An essential component of IFA2 is the subsea cables which will connect Great Britain and France. The route these cables will take is shown in Figure 3 below. Figure 3: Plan showing proposed cable route offshore This route was developed following extensive consultation with maritime stakeholders, including fishermen, Natural England, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Trinity House, the Royal Yachting Association, the Chamber of Shipping, Historic England and Portsmouth and Southampton harbourmasters to understand and limit the impact of our proposals to the marine environment. Page 6

7 The route takes into account significant marine and navigational constraints around the Calshot and Fawley area for cable routeing and installation. There are notable precautionary areas for large vessel turning, the dredged Thorn Channel, the North Channel, and Calshot Reach that a pair of HVDC cables would need to cross. There is the National Park area on this Western coastline. A cable route across the English Channel entering the Solent from the East around the East of the Isle-of-Wight and with a landfall to the eastern shore of the Solent / Southampton Water avoids these constraints. 3.2 Converter station Location The converter station will be at the site shown in Figure 4 below. Figure 4: Plan showing location of converter station, new public open space, HVAC cable route, and connection point The converter station site was identified as most appropriate following a selection process which began in By way of background, this included the following steps: Connection assessment process undertaken. Wide-ranging search from Chickerell substation in West Dorset in the west to Ninfield substation in East Sussex in the east. Connection point identified by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and location agreed with National Grid IFA2 Ltd at existing National Grid facility off Chilling Lane, near Warsash. Commenced process of finding an available site which meets the project needs including proximity to connection point. Converter station locations considered on western and eastern shores of the Solent / Southampton Water. Fawley and Calshot area considered during initial land searches. Area not feasible due to: - No commercially available land. - Shipping and navigational constraints for cable routeing and installation. -High risk of damage to cables due to dredging in area. -Existing cable tunnel cannot accept additional cables due to age, condition and space limitations. -Additional cables would require new tunnel under Southampton Water. -Tunnelling not economically justifiable when other sites and associated cable routes are feasible and Page 7

8 commercially available on eastern side of the Solent. Prioritised sites and cable routes entering the Solent around the east of the Isle-of-Wight and with a landfall to the eastern shore of the Solent / Southampton Water to avoid constraints. Discussed site options with Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Gosport Borough Council extensively including, land at Daedalus Waterfront near Lee-on-the-Solent Daedalus Waterfront site near Lee-on-the-Solent was assessed as too small for construction and operational needs. No alternative sites were offered by the HCA. Revisited land searches. Identified site near Chilling Copse located close to Chilling connection point. Discussions held with Hampshire County Council (HCC) HCC declines to progress land negotiations and makes public statement to this effect. Revisited land searches which confirmed no commercially available land to locate converter station in Chilling area. Following sale of Daedalus Airfield to Fareham Borough Council (FBC) discussions held with them about land at Daedalus in Hangars East area. Feasibility studies undertaken on new Daedalus site and decision taken to shift focus to site at Daedalus Airfield National Grid moves forward negotiations with FBC on Daedalus. Ground investigations undertaken on Daedalus Airfield to confirm site suitability Developed Land Agreement with Daedalus Landowners and reached agreement in principle Compulsory purchase option not open to National Grid with feasible, commercially available site available at Daedalus. Site of Fawley Power Station sold to Fawley Waterside Limited for housing development. Project launched to the Public (at Daedalus Airfield) Public Consultation Converter station design and appearance In April 2017, National Grid IFA2 Limited appointed ABB, working with Morgan Sindall as contractors to design, build and commission the converter station. The detailed design proposals we developed were in line with those agreed as part of our outline planning consent. However, where possible, we sought to reduce the visual impact of the converter station. As a result, we reduced the proposed height of the converter station from a maximum of 22 metres as part of our reserved matters planning application. The maximum height of the tallest building has been reduced to just under 20 metres, with the height of many of the other buildings reduced even further. We also made significant improvements to the layout, reducing the distances between buildings and the overall height of the site. This helped reduce the overall visual impact of the converter station. These proposals for the design and appearance of the converter station were granted reserved matters planning permission in November Page 8

9 Figure 5: View of the proposed converter station from Peel Common roundabout after 0 years (top image: Landscaping outline planning consent, bottom image: latest consented converter station) IFA2 will use landscaping to mitigate the visual impact of the converter station. Taking into account feedback from consultation on the outline planning application in 2016, this will include both using spoil from the construction of IFA2 to create bunding, and planting trees to screen views of key buildings. The indicative images below show how this landscaping solution will develop over time: Figure 6: Proposals on completion (at 15 years) with additional mitigation (mounding and planting), and Managing possible effects anticipated view looking south from the Peel Common Roundabout We carried out extensive surveys about the potential impact of IFA2 as part of the planning and design process. This includes the following areas: Airfield We are determined that the interconnector will co-exist harmoniously with the operation of Solent Airport. Independent reports commissioned by National Grid and Fareham Borough Council conclude that, overall, the IFA2 proposals will not have any adverse effects on current or future operations at the Airport. Page 9

10 Noise As a condition for the development of the site, we have agreed with Fareham Borough Council that the sound rating limit at the nearest residential properties should not exceed 30dB or background night time noise levels, whichever is the higher. To this end: The station layout is configured to minimise the noise of the converter station at the nearest sensitive residential properties. Electrical equipment which does emit noise (such as the transformers) will be located within acoustic noise enclosures to significantly reduce their noise emissions. Fans for equipment cooling purposes will be of low noise type and will be screened by the converter station buildings themselves. The conversion equipment itself will be located indoors with heavy additional screening in the walls and roof, providing additional noise and emission damping. We will put in place a sound monitoring scheme once the converter station is operational to measure compliance with this condition RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) The converter station has been designed to meet requirements regarding RFI screening. To this end, the building fabric itself will include additional metal sheeting in the roof, walls and floor which will provide additional screening for any possible emissions from the electrical equipment in the buildings. Openings such as ventilation shafts, doors and windows will be shielded, most likely with metallic mesh, to provide screening in these areas Ecology Our assessments conclude that all effects on ecology resulting from the proposed development can be avoided or reduced to acceptable levels. Through our proposals for the new public open space, we will include a variety of planting which would provide a diverse range of habitats for invertebrates, small birds and reptiles, while hedgerows provide wildlife movement corridors and better connections between existing habitats Visual Impact We have sought to reduce the visual impact of the converter station by cutting down its height from the 22 metres included in the outline planning permission. Following the detailed design process, no part of the converter station will be higher than 20 metres. Combined with the landscaping and mounding shown in the images below, this will further reduce the landscape and visual impact of the converter station design TV and Radio Reception We carried out assessments of the potential impact of the size of the converter station building on TV and radio reception due to shadowing, which concluded that it was highly unlikely that there would be signal loss for residents. We have undertaken a baseline study into potential effects of IFA2 on TV and radio reception. This was submitted alongside the reserved matters planning application. 3.3 New public open space Overview The planning permission for IFA2 includes proposals for new public open space to the north of Solent Airport. National Grid s commitment is to: Fund and deliver part of the new public open space for the community around the converter station site, including a car park off Broom Way. Page 10

11 Finance the remainder of the new public open space which Fareham Borough Council will deliver. Provide a financial contribution towards footpaths and cycle-ways that allow linkages with the Alver Valley to support access to this wider open space. Provide a financial contribution to the maintenance of the Daedalus North Community Green Space. Figure 8: Plan showing new public open space Design principles The new public open space will be a resource for the whole community, providing an attractive and accessible area of natural green space. We would therefore like the new public open space to offer a range of different experiences for the people who use it, as well as providing a range of wildlife habitats. The open space will also offer new ways of getting around the area. The inclusion of a new foot and cycle path running east-west through the open space would offer an off-road alternative for people travelling between Stubbington, the Alver Valley, Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport. In the eastern part of the open space, which National Grid IFA2 will deliver directly, pockets of woodland are proposed which would extend the existing pattern of mature woodland around Broom Way and on the eastern edge of the airfield. These proposals include woodland belts on mounding to the north and east of the converter station to help to further screen the development. The design for the eastern part of the open space also contains swathes of wildflower meadow, and some retained hedgerows, and small ditches and ponds. This variety of planting would provide a diverse range of habitats for invertebrates, small birds and reptiles, while small waterbodies would provide potential habitat for amphibians. The range of habitats would be explored using a network of winding paths, which connect back to the main east-west foot and cycle path. It is also proposed that the Eastern Space contains a small car parking area with access off Broom Way. The central section of open space has been deliberately designed to contrast with the more enclosed and wooded Eastern Space. Planting in the Central Space would be designed to discourage certain wildlife from the area north of the runway, but would still include some trees, hedgerow and wildflower areas. Other Page 11

12 features of the Central Space are a dedicated dog-walking area and a viewing point to take full advantage of the views looking down the runway and towards the coast. The western part of the open space would include the main car park facility, accessed off Gosport Road and softened by planting. The Western Space is close to the eastern edge of Stubbington and lends itself to a slightly more formal design, which could accommodate some areas of ornamental planting and a children s play area. A tree planting belt is proposed to the southern edge of this space to provide screening from future development within the western part of the airfield. Both the central and western parts of the open space will be delivered by Fareham Borough Council, with a financial contribution from National Grid. 3.4 HVAC cable route Developing the route We considered the options for routeing the cables from the converter station to the connection point on the grid. There are significant constraints on routeing new cables in the area between Daedalus and Chilling. There are a number of designated sites of environmental interest in this area, open space safeguarded as Strategic Gap by Fareham Borough Council, and a range of other proposed and consented developments including the Stubbington Bypass. These constraints mean that routeing cables overland between the converter station and connection point could have a significant environmental impact. Routeing the AC cables offshore provides an effective alternative. Having considered potential impacts and views of local authorities, we are taking forward the cable route from the converter station at Daedalus to the connection point on the grid at Chilling via an offshore route Electro Magnetic Fields The planning permission for the cables sets a condition on the impact of Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs) from the cables on aviation at Solent Airport. At the suggestion of Fareham Borough Council, we have carried out a series of tests on the cables we are proposing to use for IFA2 and specifically the electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) they will emit, in full view of knowledgeable local stakeholders. Having confirmed the calculation and measurement methods at a number of National Grid sites and Prysmian laboratories, this culminated in live trials at Solent Airport with aircraft taxiing over live buried cable, replicating the circumstances proposed for IFA2. The results of this test demonstrated the cables more than meet the conditions set on the planning permission and there were no adverse impacts on aircraft systems. 3.5 Connection point Identifying a connection point The process of securing a connection point involved agreeing where IFA2 would connect with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The process followed to select the Chilling site as the connection point for IFA2 was the same as that followed by all proposed interconnectors. Three areas of consideration were identified for potential connection to the British grid along the south - Devon and Dorset, Hampshire and West Sussex and Kent and East Sussex. Discussions with both NGET and RTE indicated that connections around the narrowest point of The English Channel (from the Kent and East Sussex area and the North East of France) was not suitable given the existing (IFA, BritNed) and proposed interconnectors (Nemo, ElecLink) in this area. These would have created network management issues in Great Britain and France relating to the flow of power in both directions on multiple HVDC links. The search was then focused on the West Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset area. We considered the proximity of existing National Grid infrastructure to the coast, environmental designations, planning policy and technical constraints to routeing and siting of a feasible connection to the existing grid, landfall site, HVDC and HVAC connections and land for a converter station site. Page 12

13 4. CONSULTATION 4.1 Concept for public participation As part of its commitment to best practice public and stakeholder consultation, we published the scope of consultation on the project in the Concept for Public Participation. This is available on the project website. The Concept for Public Participation set out that we would consult with stakeholders and communities potentially affected by, or interested in, either or both the onshore and offshore elements of the proposals. The Concept for Public Participation committed to holding two public consultation stages together with ongoing stakeholder engagement prior to the submission of a hybrid planning application. 4.2 Hybrid planning application Stage 1 consultation The first stage of public consultation in December 2015 identified our preferred scheme for an HVDC converter station and associated cable routes and sought views on our choice of converter station location and cable routes, the potential impacts of our preferred option and possible means of mitigating any potential impacts. Approximately 449 people attended the first round of exhibitions and 148 feedback forms were received before the close of the consultation period. When analysed, the most frequently raised issues were concerns about noise, height and visual impact of the building, electric and magnetic fields (EMF), compatibility with the airfield, security, construction and installation, and alternative options. The feedback received helped shape the proposals as they moved forward and we aimed to address the issues at the stage 1 events, setting out reasons for their decisions and any mitigation measures Stage 2 consultation The second stage of consultation in March 2016 aimed to address the issues raised during the first round, respond to feedback received during the first stage and sought views on changes that we made to the proposed scheme in order to mitigate impacts raised during the first round. Approximately 676 people attended the second round of exhibitions and 160 feedback forms were received before the consultation closing period. 4.3 Reserved Matters planning applications Prior to the submission of our Reserved Matters planning applications in Summer 2017, we conducted a further programme of public engagement to update the local community on the detailed proposals for the converter station and new public open space. This included public information sessions in June and July 2017, attended by 137 people. 9 people submitted comments following these sessions. Page 13

14 5. CONSTRUCTION Overview We are aware of the potential impact that construction has on local people. We will put in place plans to minimise the effects of our construction activities on our neighbours, ensuring they are kept informed about what is due to happen and when, and how to resolve any issues that should arise. These plans will need to be approved by Fareham Borough Council before construction work can start Construction traffic We are very aware of the limitations of the local road networks in the areas surrounding both Daedalus and Chilling. The routes we propose to use will be submitted as part of our Construction Traffic Management Plan. Some equipment, such as transformers, will need to be delivered to the site on large, abnormally sized vehicles. The movement of abnormal vehicles is controlled by specific legislation and subject to management and prior agreement with the Police and highways authorities. We are also looking at whether these can be bought in by sea at the nearby hoverport slip way. These deliveries would require careful planning in order to minimise disruption to road users. National Grid IFA2 will use industry best practice to deliver the transformers to mitigate against possible disruption to the local community Keeping the community informed We will keep local people informed about the construction work by: Publishing our Construction Management Plan on our website. Publishing regular newsletters with advanced details of construction activities. Inviting local community representatives to participate in a Community Liaison Group, where upcoming work will be discussed on a regular basis. Continuing to operate a dedicated phone line and address for enquiries. Page 14

15 6. TIMELINE Date Activity November 2017 MMO issues Comprehensive Decision under the UK consenting regime December 2017 Pre-construction studies and surveys start 2018 Construction scheduled to start converter station Onshore cable construction activities Marine enabling works at Chilling, including cable installation 2019 Offshore cable construction activities and cable installation 2020 Construction due to be completed IFA2 is operational Some marine enabling works will take place in E.g. HDD at Chilling, boulder removal. Page 15