ElecLink is a 1,000 MW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnector between the United Kingdom and France, passing through the Channel Tunnel.
The 51-kilometre (32-mile) DC cable runs via the Channel Tunnel between HVDC converter stations at Peuplingues in France and Folkestone in the UK, with an additional 14.5 km (9.0 mi) of underground AC cable on the English side to Sellindge substation, and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) on the French side to Les Mandarins substation,[3] to link the converter stations to the existing transmission networks.
[3][1] A specialized, 51-metre-long (167 ft), work train was manufactured by Clayton Equipment for the project to allow the HVDC cable to be installed[6][5] in 2021 and tested.
[2] The foundation stone of the Folkestone converter station was laid in February 2017, by Jesse Norman MP, Minister for Industry and Energy.
[12] In February 2022, the IGC and national safety authorities announced their approval of ElecLink, which allowed final testing of the interconnector to commence, with entry into service still planned for mid-2022.