A large fire at a National Grid interconnector in Kent is continuing to disrupt electricity supplies being imported from France.
Fire crews have been attending the incident, at the IFA interconnector at Sellindge near Ashford, since the early hours of this morning (15 September) and as of 9:15am ten engines, a height vehicle and bulk water carrier were in attendance.
The interconnector, also known as Cross-Channel, is a 2GW high voltage direct current link between the UK and the continent. Data from National Grid shows power flows for the interconnector are currently at zero.
In a statement National Grid said: “There has been a fire at our IFA interconnector site in Sellindge and emergency services are in attendance.
“The site has been evacuated and the safety of our staff, emergency teams and local residents is our highest priority. We will provide a further update in due course.”
Meanwhile Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene of a fire at a National Grid site in Church Lane, Sellindge near Ashford. Ten fire engines, a height vehicle and a bulk water carrier are now in attendance.
“Progress is being made, however firefighters are expected to be on site for some hours to come.”
The fire will only add more pressure to an already volatile market as record wholesale costs continue to place energy retailers in an increasingly precarious position.
Yesterday Ofgem confirmed the fourth supplier failure in a week, taking this year’s total to seven.