The current 2,000 MW link is bi-directional and the countries can import or export depending upon market demands, mostly depending upon weather conditions and availability of renewable energy on the British Isles, and French surplus of nuclear generation or demand for electric heating.

The cable had a length of 65 km (40 miles) and was operated symmetrically at a voltage of ±100 kV and a maximum current of 800 amperes.

Because the first installation did not meet increasing requirements, it was replaced in 1975–1986 by a new HVDC system with a maximum transmission rating of 2,000 MW between France and the United Kingdom, for which two new converter stations were built in Sellindge, between Ashford and Folkestone in Kent, England and in Bonningues-lès-Calais (Les Mandarins station), near Calais, France.

Cables are laid in pairs in four trenches so that the magnetic fields generated by the two conductors are largely cancelled.

[10] In November 2016, during Storm Angus, a ship dragging an anchor cut four of the eight cable components, reducing capacity by 50%.

The equipment occasionally faults, causing capacity to drop: in a bad year, this might happen several times.

However, France imports energy as needed during the winter to meet demand, or when there is low availability of hydroelectric power.

In 2006, 97.5% of the energy transfers were made from France to UK, supplying the equivalent of 3 million English homes.