Tarchon is designated as a Project of Mutual Interest (PMI) according to Regulation (EU) 2022/869 in the current Union list (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1041). In terms of regulatory law, this means that binding deadlines for the approval decision apply to the project and that the Member States must designate a central contact point (“one-stop shop”). In addition, the project must be granted the highest possible legal status in the approval and spatial planning procedure in regards to urgency and relevance.

In the UK, electricity and gas markets regulator Ofgem has declared its fundamental support for the Tarchon project. In April 2025, the British Secretary of State also granted the project Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) status under Section 35 of the Planning Act 2008.

As a result, Tarchon is subject to approval via the Development Consent Order (DCO) framework, a centralised procedure and approvals regime for large infrastructure projects. The DCO procedure is carried out by the UK’s independent Planning Inspectorate and is aimed at an efficient, legally regulated and tightly time-organised approval of national infrastructure projects.

Tarchon Energy Limited is in close exchange with the Dutch permitting authorities to determine a technically feasible and environmentally compatible route for the section of subsea cable through Dutch waters. Tarchon will submit permits under the Project Procedure in Dutch waters. The legal basis for the project procedure is Article 20a of the Electricity Act 1998 and, in the future, Article 6.1 of the Energy Act.

Since the Tarchon project will be realised within the EEZ, no applicable environmental plan is required. For the realisation and operation of the Tarchon project, the following permits will need
to be applied for:

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) draws up a Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) every two years. This plan, which is not legally binding but is recognised across Europe, serves as a strategic basis for the further development of the electricity transmission network in the European Union. It creates transparency about necessary infrastructure expansions, identifies cross-border bottlenecks, and supports the coordination of cross-country projects.

The Tarchon project is listed both in the TYNDP 2020 and in the TYNDP 2022. The repeated inclusion shows that the project is classified as a relevant component of European network expansion.

In Germany, the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has assumed the coordinating role as “one-stop shop.” In doing so, it is in continuous exchange with the competent authorities of the other participating states.

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), which is responsible for, among other things, the development of the electricity transmission network, has confirmed the need for the project by including it in the Network Development Plan (NEP). The NEP forms the basis for the long-term planning of the expansion of the German extra-high voltage grid.

In addition, Tarchon is to be included in the Federal Requirement Plan (Bundesbedarfs plan) under the Federal Requirement Plan Act (BBPlG). With inclusion in the Federal Requirement Plan, the legislator establishes in a binding way the economic necessity and the urgent need to ensure safe and reliable grid operation (cf. § 1 para. 1 sentence 1 BBPlG).