Greenlink energy project rerouted to protect Dobby memorial

The Greenlink interconnector, a £430 million energy project designed to link the electricity grids of the United Kingdom and Ireland, has been rerouted following intense backlash from Harry Potter fans. The 190-kilometer high-voltage cable was originally planned to pass through Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

This specific location serves as an unofficial memorial for the fictional character Dobby the House Elf, following the filming of his death scene in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One’. Fans frequently visit the site to leave tributes such as painted stones and socks.

Simon Ludlam, CEO of Etchea Energy, reported receiving hundreds of phone calls from outraged fans after a BBC interview highlighted the original route. While Ludlam initially questioned the seriousness of protesting for a fictional character, the company ultimately worked with planners to divert the cable to avoid the memorial site. The project, which aims to transport renewable energy and can power approximately 380,000 homes, is now proceeding along an alternative path.