Eurotunnel plan to carry electricity

EUROTUNNEL has unveiled plans to run a high-capacity power line through the tunnel that will make it easier for France and the UK to share electricity when needed.

The 500 megawatt cable will link power stations at Coquelles in the Pas-de-Calais with Sellindge in Kent and could be operational by 2015, at a cost of about €250m.

It will allow France to import electricity from the UK if its own supply drops or there is a surge in demand - and vice versa. The plan comes as both countries look to generate more power from offshore wind, which fluctuates heavily depending on the weather.

The cable will run through the existing service tunnel that runs parallel to those used by passenger trains.

Eurotunnel chief Jacques Gounon said he was confident that all the necessary planning permission would be granted within 18 months.