The UK's clean power plans received a major boost today as the latest interconnector with Europe came online, providing up to 1GW of new transmission capacity.

National Grid announced that Nemo Link, a joint venture between the UK grid operator and Belgian transmission system operator Elia, is now live with power flowing between Belgium and the UK since midnight.

The new 80 mile link between Bruges in Belgium and Richborough in Kent began offering day-ahead capacity to power traders on Wednesday ahead of the cable going live. National Grid said the £560m project had been delivered on time and under budget, despite engineers having to contest with finding more than 1,200 potential explosives on the seabed and beaches, many of which dated back to World War Two.

The Nemo project is the UK's third grid connection with continental Europe and the first of four new links that are being developed under the UK's cap and floor regulation.

Construction is also underway on the 1GW IFA2 project to France and 1.4GW North Sea Link to Norway, which are expected to be operational in 2020 and 2021. In addition, National Grid recently approved plans for the 1.4GW Viking Link between UK with Denmark.

Grid operators are confident the development of increased interconnector capacity will bolster the UK's clean energy efforts, as improved links with the European energy market allow both sides of the Channel to better balance their grids as increased levels of variable renewable power capacity come online.

For example, with access to increased interconnector capacity UK offshore wind developers should find it easier to sell any excess power to neighbouring countries, while the UK grid can also access more back up power capacity at times when renewables output is low.

However, industry bodies and energy experts are increasingly concerned a 'no deal' Brexit could lead to significant disruption for interconnectors and cross-border energy trading, potentially undermining the UK's decarbonisation plans.

John Pettigrew, chief executive at National Grid, said the company was "delighted that Nemo Link and the Richborough Connection are now both fully operational and will play a key role in delivering cleaner energy to UK consumers, while also making supplies more secure and competitive".

"Interconnectors like Nemo Link are the perfect tool to move renewable energy from where it is produced to where it is needed most," he added. "By connecting the UK and Belgian electricity markets, we will also ensure customers have access to different sources of generation and lower priced electricity. This will mean that customers pay less for their energy."

In related news, UK start up Enertechnos this week announced it was teaming up with global cabling technology giant Tratos to develop its Capacitive Transfer System (CTS).

The company claims its new technology can slash energy loss from power cables, which is thought to cost the UK's energy system around £1.3bn a year. The new partnership will initially see the system deployed in a real world trial by a Distribution Network Operator.

"For the last few years, Enertechnos has been working tirelessly to develop the CTS and transform electrical transmission," said Dominic Quennell, managing director of Enertechnos. "Today's news is a game-changer for electrical energy efficiency and we are delighted to be working with Tratos, who are renowned globally for innovation and their exceptionally well-made cables. Today's announcement is a ringing endorsement of Enertechnos' revolutionary technology and is an important step towards delivering greater energy security, reduced carbon emissions, and lower consumer costs."