# Greenlink interconnector rerouting in Wales

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/greenlink-interconnector-rerouting-in-wales
> Updated: 2026-08-10T14:31:42.000Z. Sources: 52. Developments: 2.

The Greenlink interconnector, a £430 million energy project intended to link the electricity grids of the United Kingdom and Ireland, has been rerouted to protect a fan memorial in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The 190-kilometer high-voltage cable was originally planned to pass through Freshwater West beach. This location serves as an unofficial memorial for the fictional character Dobby the House Elf, following the filming of a scene in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part One’. Following a BBC interview that revealed the planned path, project managers received hundreds of calls from fans protesting the route.

Simon Ludlam, CEO of project manager Etchea Energy, noted that the team had to overhaul plans to ensure the cable would not go near the memorial. While the diversion protects the site, which has become a significant pilgrimage destination for international tourists, it has introduced new complexities. Planners must also account for nearby Bronze Age archaeological remains, including pottery vessels dating back to approximately 1700–1500 BC.

The project, which has a capacity of 500MW and aims to transport renewable energy to power approximately 380,000 homes, is now operational.

## Claims

- Project manager Simon Ludlam stated that the project is proceeding and the change satisfied many people. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Greenlink project is valued at 430 million pounds. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Greenlink project involves a subsea cable approximately 200 kilometers long. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The cable is intended to connect the electrical grids of Ireland and the United Kingdom. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The original route planned to pass under Freshwater West beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Fans successfully petitioned to change the cable route to protect the filming location of Dobby’s grave. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-10: Greenlink Interconnector rerouted to avoid Dobby the elf memorial

The £430 million Greenlink Interconnector between the UK and Ireland has been rerouted to avoid a fictional memorial for Harry Potter's Dobby the elf at Freshwater West beach in Wales.

27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greenlink-interconnector-rerouted-to-protect-harry-potter-fan-site

### 2026-08-08: Greenlink energy project rerouted to protect Dobby memorial

Harry Potter fans successfully forced the rerouting of the £430 million Greenlink energy project to protect a memorial for the character Dobby at a beach in Wales.

26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greenlink-energy-project-rerouted-due-to-harry-potter-fan-backlash

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Cite as: Greenlink interconnector rerouting in Wales. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/greenlink-interconnector-rerouting-in-wales