Q and A: Atlantic Supergrid and the IceLink
Q What is the Ice-Link cable between the UK and Iceland?
A Edi Truell’s Atlantic Supergrid company wants to build a 1,000km high voltage direct current cable underneath the north Atlantic to transport 1.2 gigawatts of power from Iceland to two million UK homes by 2020. The cable is called the Ice-Link.
Q Why would the UK need an underwater energy cable from Iceland?
A The UK has committed to increasing energy from low carbon technologies by 2020. The IceLink has low carbon emissions and the same energy as a nuclear power station.
Q Has this kind of underwater energy cable plan been done before?
A Yes, there is a HVDC cable taking power under the sea from Norway to the Netherlands. The world’s longest energy cable is in China, running 6.4 gigawatts 1,240 miles from Xiangjiaba to Shanghai
Q How is this going to be funded and do Icelanders mind us using their power?
A Truell is speaking with large pension fund investors and has recruited the ex-head of infrastructure at Canada Pension Plan on board. Iceland has an abundance of geothermal power and would benefit financially.