LONDON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Work started Thursday on a new 615 million U.S.dollar-innovative power supply network linking Britain and France.
In what is the first project of its kind the foundation stone for the project, capable of powering up to 2 million homes, was laid by Britain's Energy Minister Jesse Norman.
The new ElecLink electricity connection between Britain and France will provide greater access to the continental electricity market.
According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the new link will help to reduce consumer bills as electricity can be flexibly imported and exported to take advantage of cheaper prices.
The project will run through the Channel Tunnel between Sellindge in Britain and Les Mandarins in France. It will have the capacity to power up to 2 million homes and provide further resilience for Britain's electricity supply.
British energy officials say a combination of domestic electricity generation including new nuclear power, gas and renewables, as well as increased access for importing and exporting electricity supplies from Europe, means British homes and businesses will have reliable power at the lowest possible price all year round.
The major new piece of infrastructure will be financed on a purely commercial basis, with no risk to British tax and bill payers.
Energy Minister Norman said: "We are strongly supportive of greater electricity trading with our European partners in order to lower household bills and deliver energy security as part of our modern industrial strategy."
"The ElecLink interconnector is one of the most advanced new interconnection projects across Europe and the first of its kind between Britain and France since 1986, when the existing IFA (Interconnexion France-Angleterre) interconnector was commissioned."
Chairman and CEO of Groupe Eurotunnel Jacques Gounon said: "ElecLink further underlines how important the Channel Tunnel is to Britain and France. Not only is it a vital transport link, it is set to play an instrumental part in the supply of electricity to the UK, France and continental Europe."
