For the economy

• It is the most cost-effective sustainable electricity system in the long term (given growing carbon constraints)
• Increased interconnection will contribute to further liberalisation of electricity markets
• It will provide a boost for innovation, development of new technologies and employment.

The POSEIDON system approach will reduce the costs of offshore electricity grids and result in higher returns for oil and gas exploration in combination with carbon dioxide storage.

For security of supply

• It will increase the use of indigenous energy resources
• A systems approach ensures a reliable supply
• It is flexible in terms of the technologies used.

POSEIDON will significantly reduce our current dependency on imported fuels. The interconnection of electricity grids will help optimise and stabilise the electricity system as a whole, especially where electricity storage technologies are employed. The concept is flexible, both now and in the future when new technologies are available and when fossil-fuel resources are depleted in the region.

For the environment

• Huge renewable energy potential
• Zero emissions
• No competition with land-use onshore
• Replaces polluting conventional electricity production

POSEIDON has huge potential for delivering renewable energy as well as zero emissions of greenhouse gases. It also takes part of the energy supply system offshore, which has considerable environmental benefits. The systems approach can ensure protection of environmentally sensitive areas and prevent conflicts of interest with other economic activities such as fisheries.