FAB Link
| Company type | Partnership |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy, Electrical transmission |
| Founder | Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE), FAB Link Limited (partnership between Alderney Renewable Energy Limited and Transmission Investment LLP) |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom and France |
Area served | France, Great Britain |
| Products | HVDC Interconnector services |
| Website | www |
FAB Link represents a planned HVDC Interconnector designed to connect France and Great Britain, situated close to the island of Alderney.
After a five-year suspension, project development tentatively recommenced as of March 2022.
Current project status
In 2017, uncertainties surrounding the UK's departure from the EU prompted the French energy regulator to seek further clarification, casting uncertainty over the project's future.
By March 2022, FAB Link Limited and RTE committed to "review and reassess the project," with the objective of obtaining regulatory approval to proceed.
The proposed routing was adjusted by July 2022 to eliminate landfall on Alderney.
On 1 June 2023, the interconnector’s capacity was revised downward to 1,250 MW, with construction targeted for completion around 2030 or 2031.
Route
The intended pathway comprises 25 km of AC land cables in France, starting at L'Étang-Bertrand (lieu-dit Menuel), making landfall at Siouville-Hague. This is followed by approximately 30 km of HVDC submarine cables connecting France to Alderney. Across Alderney, a short 1 km stretch of land cables links to 140 km of HVDC submarine cables extending to Budleigh Salterton in England. From there, 20 km of HVDC land cables run to a converter station near Exeter Airport, where AC land cables connect into the UK grid.
Within Alderney itself, the FAB Link involves cables with a diameter of 5 inches buried at depths between 1 and 2 metres at Longis Common. These connect undersea cables from France and those leading onward to England. Nevertheless, the finalized route will entirely circumvent Alderney.
Technical specification
The scheme includes two cables each rated at 700 MW, combining for a total capacity of 1,400 MW. Land-based cables operate at 400 kV AC voltage, while the submarine segments utilize 320 kV DC. The technology selected is primarily Voltage Sourced Converters (VSC).
Project economics
With an estimated cost of €750 million, the FAB Link project secured €7.235 million in funding from the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility.
Since the cable will now bypass Alderney, it is unlikely to facilitate electricity exports generated by tidal turbines within Alderney’s maritime area. The submarine cables incorporate fiber optic lines for monitoring system performance and provide surplus capacity suitable for high-speed data transmission.
The alteration in routing and local opposition mean that Alderney will lose approximately £70,000 annually in facility rental income as well as potential reductions in consumer electricity prices.
Wider context
FAB Link forms part of a broader European strategy to establish HVDC interconnectors linking mainland Europe with the UK. By 2021, two other interconnectors—IFA (2000 MW) and IFA-2 (1000 MW)—were operational between France and the UK. Additionally, ElecLink was completed in 2022, adding another 1000 MW connection between these countries.
Project history
In January 2017, applications for licences were submitted to the Marine Management Organisation, East Devon District Council, and the States of Guernsey. Following Ofgem’s final project evaluation in July 2017, approval was anticipated with a final investment decision expected later that year.
Initial plans scheduled construction commencement for 2018 with completion by 2022. However, these timelines shifted, pushing construction start to 2021 and aiming for completion by 2025.
Project promoters
The initiative is being collaboratively advanced by Réseau de Transport d'Électricité (RTE) alongside FAB Link Limited. FAB Link Limited represents a partnership between Alderney Renewable Energy Limited and Transmission Investment LLP, a prominent independent transmission firm with expertise in project development, financial engineering, and asset oversight. After the decision to exclude Alderney from the route, the likelihood of linking renewable energy installations through the cable has diminished.
Planning issues
Controversy surrounding the project's appropriateness for Alderney caused delays in amending planning regulations in 2016. The proposed changes would have permitted industrial utility projects within the island’s designated "Green Belt," allowing FAB Link to install cables across rural zones. Since these amendments were not adopted, the cable must completely circumvent Alderney.
Controversy
Concerns among certain locals about potential impacts on Alderney’s identity and its seasonal tourism led to protests during 2016 and July 2017. In contrast, other community members back the link due to its prospects for enabling future tidal turbine developments and delivering economic advantages to contractors involved in construction and energy sectors.