Electricity Imports from Europe Hit Record High

Between April and June, the UK saw electricity imports from continental Europe reach a record high, accounting for 20% of the nation’s total power supply. With the closure of coal-fired power stations, the UK is increasingly relying on undersea cables to maintain its energy supply.

Nearly half of the imported electricity came from France, largely due to the ramp-up of its nuclear power stations following last year’s outages. New interconnector cables linking the UK grid with Europe also contributed to the increase in imports.

Wind power remained the UK’s largest source of electricity during the quarter, according to a report by Imperial College London commissioned by Drax. Iain Staffell, a sustainable energy expert at Imperial, highlighted the advantages of the UK’s reliance on undersea cables, noting that “being more interconnected with your neighbours is a strength.” However, he cautioned that depending too heavily on imports could leave the UK vulnerable, stating, “If it’s only ever flowing in one direction, you’re at the mercy of your neighbours.”

The UK’s traditional “baseload” power sources are in decline, with ageing nuclear plants closing and the country’s last coal-fired station set to shut down this month. Staffell warned that during periods of low wind, energy prices could surge due to a limited number of backup power plants, making it cheaper to import electricity from abroad.

The UK currently has seven interconnectors with Europe, including the most recent one with Denmark, which came online in December. Later this year, the Greenlink connector between Ireland and Wales is also expected to become operational. Staffell suggested that the high level of electricity imports could be a temporary trend, as more renewable energy infrastructure is developed and the Hinkley Point nuclear power station nears completion.