Aquind interconnector decision delayed after MoD intervenes

Energy secretary Claire Coutinho is due to make a final decision on the £1.2bn electricity link

The government has said it has delayed a decision on a proposed electricity link between England and France after an intervention by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Aquind Ltd wants to lay cables through Portsmouth, Hampshire, to Normandy.

The proposal has faced objections from residents, campaigners and local MPs, including Commons leader and Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt.

The MoD had requested time to address "concerns", the government said.

The project has attracted local protests

In 2023, the government's decision to refuse permission for the £1.2bn link was overturned in the High Court.

The project was referred back to ministers to be reconsidered.

In October 2021, the BBC's Panorama programme revealed that Aquind was part-owned by Russian-born former oil executive Victor Fedotov.

The company has donated more than £700,000 to 34 Conservative MPs since the Aquind project began.

Aquind is part-owned by Ukrainian-born British businessman Alexander Temerko

Aquind's co-owner, Ukrainian-born businessman Alexander Temerko, has donated a further £700,000 to the party.

Protesters have also raised concerns about destruction of wildlife habitats and the effect of construction work in Portsmouth.

In a statement, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the MoD had requested time to "consider its position".

The interconnector would make landfall at Eastney beach in Portsmouth

It said: "The Ministry of Defence has contacted this department requesting additional time so that it can prepare substantive representations on concerns regarding the proposed Aquind project.

"At present, it is also not appropriate to estimate how much more time is required, as this will depend on the nature and content of the representations put forward by MoD."

It said Secretary of State Claire Coutinho would make a decision "as soon as was practicable".

Aquind previously described the interconnector as "vital infrastructure" that would provide up to 5% of Britain's annual electricity consumption.

In a statement, it said: "During the examination period... the Ministry of Defence clearly stated that they had no concerns with Aquind Interconnector, so the recent statement is surprising.

"We remain ready and willing to address MoD's questions... [and] remain fully committed to transforming the UK's energy security and flexibility."

It later added: "The manner of the MoD's last-minute interference will have negative impacts on all proposed developments and marine users in and around Portsmouth, including renewable energy, interconnectors, fisheries and many others."