National Grid IFA2 aims to be a considerate and supportive neighbour to the local community and, like so many across the country, we have felt this even more keenly during these extremely challenging times.

Our team has been eager to support key workers, the elderly and the vulnerable. We have therefore been delivering local donations of PPE in recent weeks – reaching nearly 40 care and nursing homes in the areas of Fareham, Gosport and Lee-on-Solent.

Face visors, face masks, sanitiser, antibacterial wipes, gloves, scrubs bags and gowns have made up the bulk of our donations. Initially, items were from stock supplied to our construction sites and our office at the Innovation Centre. However, as we began to appreciate the scale of the problem and the stress it was causing, we began to purchase supplies for donation via our own procurement channels, specifically to meet the local need.

We have fortunately been able to make multiple visits, whilst observing social distancing protocol, to those organisations most in need of urgent supplies and unable to source them through traditional channels.

Over the coming weeks we are hoping to continue this small contribution for the key workers who are so bravely delivering essential care in our local communities.

We are extremely grateful for the efforts of everyone in the care homes, locally and nationally, the NHS and all key workers as they continue to work through these difficult times.

The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented, along with the measures in place to limit the outbreak further. Therefore, impacts on the programme may occur but we cannot be certain at this stage of the health crisis.

Once the consequences of the crisis are better known, including updated social distancing measures, the IFA2 Programme will undertake a detailed impact assessment. Communications will follow as appropriate.

Both RTE and National Grid commit to minimising the impacts, whilst respecting the social distancing measures, and commits to protecting the security and health of everyone working on the project. 

The construction of IFA2 is a key part of the development of national infrastructure for the UK and France. The two partners, National Grid and RTE, together with our contractors, have assessed and continue to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the construction works in both countries. In line with current government guidelines in the United Kingdom and France, essential work on the IFA2 interconnector project continues. Some of the activities are works that need to take place today, to ensure the running of the network tomorrow.

The welfare and safety of our employees, contractors and the local community remains our priority.  All of the people who need to continue working on site and in the community, are doing so under stringent health and safety measures to protect not just themselves but also the communities in which we operate.

We are very grateful to our people who are continuing to go out to work every day to continue the construction of the energy networks of tomorrow at such a critical time.