Seven bids to build new interconnector projects will move to the next stage.

This follows Ofgem’s announcement that proposed connections to Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were successful in fulfilling the regulator’s eligibility criteria.

Applications for three of these projects are developed by fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

The next stage includes a “needs case assessment” to ensure that Ofgem only approves projects that are likely to benefit British households and businesses.

Ofgem said: “We have not assessed the projects at this eligibility stage – we have checked to ensure that our eligibility criteria have been met. Our detailed assessment at the Initial Project Assessment stage will inform our recommendations on whether to approve or reject each project.”