I have today submitted my response to the Ofgem consultation on the Tarchon Interconnector, which is currently proposed to land in Frinton and connect to a massive new substation (EACN) at Lawford/Little Bromley.
Interconnectors are important but they must be in the right place. It is astonishing that every single claim made in Ofgem's press release about interconnectors in general is contradicted by their own consultation documents in respect of Tarchon. Tarchon would actually increase ‘constraint costs’ by £530 million. Tarchon would also drive up domestic electricity prices by approximately £5 billion, and Tarchon makes no meaningful contribution to improving UK energy security. The detail are all in the submission you can read below.
Tarchon particularly impacts Tendring and North Essex, but the fundamental problems here further discredit the whole of the Norwich to Tilbury proposal.
I have led on this as the MP for Harwich and North Essex, with the support of the MP for Clacton (Giles Watling), to highlight the many flaws with the plans specific to our constituencies. Looking at the wider proposals, the OFFSET Group of MPs are united on our top lines for N2T:
- N2T is increasingly discredited by analysis and modelling which shows sensible alternatives were never properly considered/modelled;
- The best option would be an off-shore grid, arising from a holistic network design (N2T predates that concept);
- Failing that, a variation of ESO Review Option 8. (HVDC undergrounding) would be far preferable (it is cost equivalent to N2T) and more achievable and even cheaper if aspects of Option 5b are adopted, avoiding the need for so much cable (avoiding the EACN in Tendring District).
It would be helpful for everyone so support this submission which further undermines the N2T proposals.
I am seeking more parliamentary time to debate this issue further, and am meeting my OFFSET colleagues regularly (not often in the news) to keep up the pressure at all levels on Government. Your MPs remain in awe of the dedication and fight you are all showing in your submissions, emails, social media posts and attendance at local meetings.
Keep up the fight!
