Societe Generale: sole financial advisor for NeuConnect's new 1.4GW £2.4bn/€2.8bn interconnector, the first direct link between the UK and Germany energy markets

Delivery of the project to create up to 500 jobs during construction, power up to 1.5 million homes and result in a new reduction in carbon emissions of 13 MtCO2 over 25 years; to contribute and meet the European greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target.

Societe Generale is pleased to announce its role as Sole Financial Advisor, Mandated Lead Arranger, Hedge Bank and Hedge execution bank to support the financial close for NeuConnect’s privately financed interconnector.

This project represents the first ever electricity link to connect Germany and the UK - two of Europe’s largest energy markets - to integrate renewable energy sources. This supports both countries’ aims to accelerate the energy transition and to support their respective net zero targets. This project will contribute to the UK’s security of supply by tapping into the growing surplus of offshore wind power in Northern Germany, the world’s largest producer of wind power.

This strategic landmark project led by Meridiam (France), Allianz Capital Partners on behalf of Allianz insurance companies (Germany) and Kansai Electric Power (Japan) will link low impact substations in Germany and on the Isle of Grain in Kent, via a 725km of land and subsea cables across the North Sea. The construction is due to start in 2023.

Yann Le Bot, Director, Energy + Group at Societe Generale said: “We are delighted to have advised NeuConnect for this highly complex financing structure across two regulated frameworks. Due to the complexities of the structure, we are very proud to have been involved at an early stage to ensure the bankability for the resulting framework of this project and to contribute to adapting the UK’s default cap and floor regime.”

Societe Generale is one of the leading banks* in the energy transition and a pioneer in financing interconnectors. This financial advisory role for NeuConnect follows on from the recent Greenlink 500mw project linking the UK and Ireland power grids, with Societe Generale again acting as Sole Financial Advisor.

*#1 Financial Advisor for project finance on a worldwide basis and #3 Mandated Lead Arranger for project finance on a worldwide basis (source: IJGlobal FY 2021)

*Societe Generale was named Bank of the Year for Sustainability by IFR Magazine, “Europe Bank of the Year” by PFI for 2021, Europe & Africa Financial Adviser of the Year by IJGlobal for 2021 and MLA of the Year by IJGlobal for 2021.

Press contacts:
London - Ila Kotecha _ +44 (0) 20 7676 6804 _  Ila.kotecha@socgen.com
Paris - Lucie Le Bouffo _ +33 (0)1 57 29 64 90 _  lucie.le-bouffo@socgen.com