On cold, windless days

SIR – It is true that electricity was exported to France during the recent cold snap via one of our interconnectors (“‘Beast from the East’ has exposed our energy failings”, report, March 13). However, the

UK also imported power from France during the same period.

The interconnector, a subsea cable that enables the import and export of large volumes of electricity, behaved in exactly the way it was designed to: electricity flowed in the direction it was needed most.

By linking national energy systems, interconnectors help to smooth hourly variations in generation across Europe. This will become increasingly important with the rapid growth of renewable energy generation.

For example, our planned link to Norway, expected to be operational by 2021, will allow Norwegian hydro to fill the energy gap when the sun isn’t shining and there is little or no wind in the UK. Conversely, on very sunny and windy days in Britain, excess power production can be stored in Norwegian lakes using hydro storage.

The British energy system is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing with it new technologies and tools that will better meet the needs of consumers. But this evolution does not replace the need for a flexible energy mix in which new and more traditional technologies sit side by side.

Interconnectors are a win-win part of the mix; they unlock our ability to benefit from the different characteristics of neighbouring markets, while enabling a faster transition to the smarter and more sustainable energy system of tomorrow. Jon Butterworth

President and COO of Global Transmission, National Grid Ventures Solihull