HVDC Cross-Channel

Sellindge Converter Station on the UK side of the interconnector
Country	France, United Kingdom
General direction	south-north
From	Bonningues-lès-Calais, France
Passes through	English Channel
To	Sellindge, United Kingdom
Partners	National Grid plc Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
Manufacturer of conductor/cable	Alstom
Manufacturer of substations	ASEA (160 MW scheme); Alstom (2000 MW scheme)
Construction started	1985 (2000 MW scheme)
Commissioned	1986 (2000 MW scheme)
Type	submarine cable
Type of current	HVDC
Total length	73 km (45 mi)
Power rating	2,000 MW
AC Voltage	400 kV
DC Voltage	±270 kV
No. of poles	4 ( 2 bipoles)

The HVDC Cross-Channel (French: Interconnexion France Angleterre) is the name given to two different high voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnectors that operate or have operated under the English Channel between the continental European and British electricity grids.

The first Cross-Channel link was a 160 MW link completed in 1961 and decommissioned in 1984, while the second was a 2000 MW link completed in 1986.

The current 2000 MW link, like the original link, is bi-directional and France and Britain can import/export depending upon market demands.

The first HVDC Cross-Channel scheme was built by ASEA and went into service in 1961 between converter stations at Lydd in England (next to Dungeness Nuclear Power Station) and Echinghen, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, in France. This scheme was equipped with Mercury arc valves, each having four anodes in parallel.

In order to keep the disturbances of the magnetic compasses of passing ships as small as possible, a bipolar cable was used. The cable had a length of 65 kilometres (40 mi) and was operated symmetrically at a voltage of ±100 kV and a maximum current of 800 amperes. The maximum transmission power of this cable was 160 megawatts (MW). The cable was built by ABB Group. Given that the cable was laid on the surface of the seabed it was prone to being fouled by fishing nets, causing damage. Whilst repairs were undertaken there was considerable down time on the circuit resulting in a loss of trading. Indeed, by 1984 the circuit was disconnected from the Main Transmission System.