Government 'carefully considering' £1.2bn Portsmouth power cable plan as politicians urged to continue war against Aquind

Business, energy and industrial strategy minister Kwasi Kwarteng said the planning inspector is examining an application by Aquind Ltd to build the new electricity link.

The company wants to lay a 148-mile cable between Lovedean and Normandy, which would run ashore from Eastney and slice through Portsmouth.

The firm said the new interconnector could supply cheaper, greener electricity, eventually providing up to five per cent of Britain’s power.

But the ambitious project has enraged campaigners in Portsmouth, who argue it will destroy vital green space and allotments, with Aquind seeking a compulsory purchase order to buy up huge swathes of land along the cable’s route.

Now business, energy and industrial strategy minister Kwasi Kwarteng has insisted the government is scrutinising all compulsory purchase bids.

The Tory MP added: ‘The planning inspectorate is currently examining the application for development consent for the proposed Aquind interconnector project…(its) report on the development consent application for the Aquind interconnector, including any compulsory acquisition matters that have been raised, will be carefully considered once it is submitted to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.’

The stance comes as senior politicians in Portsmouth are being called to continue their war against Aquid’s two-way cable.

Councillors at Portsmouth City Council previously unanimously backed measures to oppose the interconnector.

Earlier this month, council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson strengthened the city’s stance and revealed a £250,000 fighting fund had been set up.

The cash would go towards paying for experts and lawyers to battle the energy giant.

Now, the authority’s cabinet is being urged to maintain its opposition as part of an updated report.

‘The council should continue to represent the interests of the people of Portsmouth and maintain its opposition to the proposal,’ Paddy May, corporate strategy advisor, recommended in a report ahead of Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.

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Aquind aims to start delivering power in 2023 if its application to the planning inspectorate is approved.

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