Twentieth anniversary of energy connection under the North Sea between the Netherlands and the UK
Press release
This year, Gasunie is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the energy connection under the North Sea between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The installation in Anna Paulowna, the Dutch landfall point for the BBL connection (Balgzand-Bacton Line), was commissioned in 2006 and has since played a key part in the energy supply and security of supply in north-western Europe. Natural gas is safely and reliably transported between the two countries through the 235-kilometre pipeline under the sea.
Europe’s energy supply has seen major changes over the past twenty years. International connections like BBL have become more and more important and they help to increase flexibility and security of supply within the European energy system.
The pipeline’s Dutch landfall point is in Anna Paulowna (Noord-Holland), where the natural gas is received, processed and transported further. BBL Company operates the pipeline, with Gasunie owning 75% of the shares and the Belgian Fluxys the other 25%. The installation is a key link in the international energy infrastructure.
Every day, Gasunie works on a reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system. This involves maintaining and futureproofing existing infrastructure, while at the same time developing new energy supplies for the future.
To mark the twentieth anniversary, BBL Company is holding an open day at the Anna Paulowna installation on Saturday 26 September for local residents and other interested parties. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to look around a site that is normally not open to the public and to get a close look at how a key international energy connection works
