New wind and solar farms can compensate to some extent but are intermittent, meaning periods of low winds or dense clouds – a phenomenon known as com. dunkelflaute – It can reduce the output.
Met Office records showed wind speeds last year were below the 20-year average for 11 of the 12 months to December.
“The opportunity to import cheaper electricity from abroad reduces the incidence of price spikes and could mean that the overall level of wholesale prices is lower than they would be without interconnection,” said Natalie Girl, analyst at LSEG Power Research.
A National Grid spokesperson said: “As the UK continues to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and further develop cleaner, affordable and safe renewable energy, National Grid is delivering the biggest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations – The Great Grid Upgrade – to deliver this clean, affordable energy to communities. In every part of England and Wales, helping us all get to net zero faster.
“Alongside this, interconnectors will provide the UK with the opportunity to share any abundance of new clean electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed.”