‘Friends of the Supergrid’, a group backing the framework to enable large-scale grid interconnection in Europe have welcomed a report from MPs supporting UK involvement.

FOSG, who are likely to be involved with the design and building of the equipment, say a supergrid will be the transmission backbone of Europe’s decarbonised power sector and will provide energy security.

Eddie O’Connor, President of the Friends of the Supergrid and CEO of Mainstream Renewable Power, said: “The UK is an energy island with significant offshore reserves of renewables. To harness these reserves for ourselves, and to enable us to trade them with our neighbours, will require the creation of the electricity equivalent of the oil and gas pipeline network that we have built over the last 40 years.”

The group say the network will help the UK meet carbon targets, so the earlier plans are in place, the better. FOSG’s comments come after the report from the Energy and Climate Change Committee was released earlier today detailing the potential of a European network.

Mr O’Connor added: “Crucially, without the development of Supergrid’s first phase, the UK will not be able to connect sufficient sources of offshore generation to the national grid in time to meet the country’s binding 2020 Renewable Energy targets. We welcome the Committee’s recommendations that the Government deliver a clear plan for the deployment of the first phase of Supergrid as early as possible.”