News | Headlines


Next-G interconnectors ‘can be linked to offshore wind’


Europe Transmission & distribution Linking UK offshore wind farms directly to multiple neighbouring European countries through high-voltage subsea interconnector cables could cut energy bills for UK consumers, according to a new report published today by RenewableUK and National Grid.


Multi-purpose interconnectors (MPIs) are a new type of offshore infrastructure which has not yet been built in UK waters. Linking offshore wind farms to the UK and neighbouring countries using MPIs would reduce the amount of infrastructure needed to transport electricity, reducing impacts on coastal communities and the environment.


RenewableUK and National Grid created a taskforce to produce a series of recommendations to kickstart the use of this technology in UK waters, bringing together nineteen industry stakeholders, including governmental and regulatory bodies. Their findings have been published in the report, entitled ‘Stronger together’. The report identifies several blockers and proposed solutions to overcome the challenges of building offshore wind and interconnectors together. It states that there is an economic prize to be won, as just three MPIs could deliver more than £13 billion in economic benefits to Great Britain and the connected countries. The report recommends:


IMechE Steam Turbine and Generator User Group 2026


● Establishing a pilot scheme to agree how offshore wind farms and multi-purpose interconnectors can work best together:


● Creating policies that support investment in this new technology and provide clear guidance on network charges to give developers clarity on costs:


● Enabling revenue certainty for wind developers by establishing an investable regime for MPIs.


The UK is already linked to neighbouring countries via ten interconnectors but none of these is linked directly to a UK offshore wind farm, meaning that the full potential of offshore wind as a shared international resource remains untapped.


RheEnergise brings first H-D hydro storage to full power UK Energy storage


Visualisation of the Net Zero Teesside Power plant, with integrated carbon capture. Image: NZT Power


This year’s IMechE Steam Turbine and Generator User Group will be led by a keynote presentation covering the Net Zero Teesside (NZT) power project. The presentation will provide an opportunity to hear first-hand insights from stakeholders GE Vernova and Technip Energies.


Among themes to be addressed:


● First-of-a-kind project: Detailed technical overview of what is expected to be the world’s first commercial-scale gas-fired power station integrated with carbon capture


● Carbon capture at scale: Deployment of carbon dioxide capture on a large scale power asset, exploration of engineering design, capture technology, efficiency impacts and integration challenges


● Replicable net-zero power model: How this project establishes a scalable, financeable blueprint for low-carbon power, with implications for future energy systems


Also on the 2026 programme: Steam turbine updates from: Ansaldo Energia; Arabelle Solutions; Mechanical Dynamics & Analysis; West Burton Energy; Doosan Skoda Power; Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand; EthosEnergy; Baker Hughes; Saturn Turbo Services


Generator updates from: Excitation & Engineering Services; EDF Energy; Qualitrol – Iris Power; Accumetrics; Hawkins; NMES-NOMAC Maintenance Services; Quartzelec; Nord-Lock; CC Jenson Ltd The IMechE User Group meeting will be held in Manchester, UK, 10-12 March 2026.


Further information: https://eventsportal.imeche.org/event/sessions?id= Steam_Turbine_and_Generator_User_Group_2026


10 | January/February 2026 | www.modernpowersystems.com


UK-based energy storage developer RheEnergise has brought its first High-Density Hydro energy storage project into full power operation at Cornwood, near Plymouth in southern England. The company says that the pilot facility is now operating at its designed output on a consistent basis, marking a key step toward commercial deployment. The Cornwood project is RheEnergise’s first demonstration of its long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology. According to the company, performance data from the site will be used to support financing and development of larger commercial projects in the UK and international markets.


HD Hydro uses a proprietary high-density, low-viscosity fluid that is heavier than water. The system operates in a similar way to conventional pumped hydro storage but requires significantly lower elevation differences between reservoirs. This allows projects to be developed on smaller hills rather than mountainous terrain, expanding the range of potential sites.


RheEnergise chief executive Stephen Crosher said the company has now validated the technology under operational conditions. “Reaching full power confirms that the system is performing as expected and reduces technical risk for future commercial projects,” he said. “This enables us to move forward with large-scale deployments in the UK and overseas.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45