760-kilometer UK-Germany interconnector gets new owners, construction start expected in 2030

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Elia Group, through its international development platform WindGrid, have acquired a subsea interconnector project that will link the UK and Germany from Copenhagen Infrastructure V, managed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).

Approved by Great Britain’s energy market regulator Ofgem in 2024, the Tarchon interconnector will be approximately 760 kilometers long, connecting East Anglia and Niederlangen, Germany, and will deliver up to 1.4 GW of electricity capacity.

As a regulated asset, the project is progressing through the relevant regulatory approvals process in the UK and Germany.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Elia Group on the development of the Tarchon interconnector. This acquisition is rooted in a shared commitment to long-term value creation and responsible infrastructure development,” said James Bryce, Head of Infrastructure at CPP Investments.

“By combining CPP Investments’ global investment capabilities with Elia Group’s proven expertise in designing, building and operating complex transmission systems, the partnership is well positioned to deliver a project such as Tarchon, while also allowing us to generate strong risk-adjusted returns for CPP contributors and beneficiaries.”

CPP Investments will provide a C$1 billion commitment for a majority stake in the project, while Elia Group’s investment through WindGrid is structured as a minority participation, representing a 25% look-through stake, and remains limited in scale relative to the group’s overall investment program, consistent with its disciplined financial policy.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory and closing conditions. 

The earliest start date for the construction of the link in the UK is 2030, with commercial operations targeted for 2034.

“Tarchon is an important project for WindGrid and reflects our partnership-led approach to supporting selected transmission infrastructure opportunities that are complementary to Elia Group’s core regulated activities. As electrification progresses and power systems become increasingly interconnected, well-developed cross-border infrastructure will remain important for the energy transition,” said Daniela Baratto, CEO of WindGrid.