- Connecting the two energy markets, the proposed Tarchon Interconnector Project will increase energy security and reliability, help to reduce energy costs, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.
- You can share your views on the plans as a second consultation launches on Friday 3 July, including five local events and one webinar.
Residents, businesses and community organisations are being invited to have their say on updated plans for the Tarchon project as a new round of consultation gets underway.
The Tarchon Project will create a direct power link between the UK and Germany. Connecting the two energy markets, it will increase energy security and reliability, help to reduce energy costs, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy.
The Project consists of a proposed electricity interconnector comprising approximately 760 kilometres of onshore and offshore cabling between Essex in Great Britain and Niederlangen, in Lower Saxony, Germany. Once operational, it would enable up to 1.8GW of electricity to flow between the two countries in either direction – enough to supply up to 1.9 million households.
The UK has a relatively large renewable energy mix and often generates significant volumes of renewable electricity. The Tarchon project will allow surplus clean energy to be exported when available and imported when needed, creating a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable energy system for both countries. The more connected a country’s energy system is, the less vulnerable it becomes to energy shortages, supply disruptions, or volatility in global fossil fuel markets.
Since its first non-statutory consultation in March 2025, the Project team has continued site selection work, environmental assessments and engagement with local stakeholders to refine the proposals. The project was also designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) by the UK Government in April 2025, meaning it will be taken forward through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
This latest consultation provides an opportunity for communities to learn more about the Project’s progress, review updated information and help inform the next stage of development.
In the UK, the project would make landfall in the Tendring peninsula before connecting to National Grid’s proposed East Anglia Connection Node (EACN). Updated consultation materials include information on the proposed landfall zone, cable route corridors and a refined area of search for the project’s converter station.
The consultation period will run from Friday 3 July until Thursday 13 August 2026.
Throughout the consultation period, members of the public can review the proposals online at www.tarchoninterconnector.com and provide feedback. They can also attend a series of local consultation events (running between 3rd – 9th July) where members of the project team will be available to answer questions and discuss the plans.
Consultation events will be held at:
- The Waterfront, Lower Marine Parade, Dovercourt, Harwich, CO12 3SS, on Friday 3 July from 14:00 to 18:00
- Great Bromley Village Hall, Parsons Hill, Colchester, CO7 7JA, on Saturday 4 July from 11:00 to 15:00
- Ardleigh Village Hall, Station Road, Colchester, CO7 7RS, on Tuesday 7 July from 14:00 to 18:00
- Venture Centre 2000, Lawford, CO11 2JE, on Wednesday 8 July from 14:00 to 18:00
- Wix Village Hall, Harwich Road, Manningtree, CO11 2RY, on Wednesday 9 July from 18:30 to 21:30
A webinar will also be held on Tuesday 14 July at 6pm. You can sign up for the webinar by visiting https://shorturl.at/2b3EF. A recording of the webinar will be available to view on the project website afterwards.
Jonathon Wood, Project Director for Tarchon, said:
“Since we first introduced the Project, we have continued to undertake technical studies, environmental assessments and stakeholder engagement to help refine our proposals and better understand the local area.
“This consultation is an important opportunity for communities to see how the project has progressed, learn more about the work completed to date and provide feedback that will help shape the next stages of development. We encourage anyone with an interest in the Project to take part and share their views.”
Interconnectors are high-voltage electricity cables that connect neighbouring countries, allowing power to flow in both directions across land and under the sea. They help improve energy security, lower costs, and support the transition to cleaner energy systems by enabling countries to share renewable electricity when it is available.
The Tarchon Project is dedicated to delivering long-term, tangible benefits to local communities throughout its development. This includes supporting skills development, education initiatives, and the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund.
Through the delivery of the interconnector, the project will drive significant investment across the UK, Netherlands and Germany. The multi-year development and construction phases will create substantial employment opportunities, helping workers build valuable skills and expertise in a rapidly growing global industry. By creating jobs and engaging local supply chains, the Tarchon Project aims to generate lasting social and economic value for the communities and regions it serves.
Feedback gathered during the consultation will be used to help inform ongoing project development ahead of future consultation stages and the submission of a Development Consent Order application.
