An electricity link between Hampshire and France - running past the Isle of Wight - is now live.

IFA2 is the National Grid’s second electricity link between the UK and the continent - the first has been running for 30 years.

Since yesterday, electricity has been flowing along the high voltage direct current (HVDC) power cable - under the water east of the Island.

The 149-mile subsea power cable stretches along the sea floor, between Fareham and Caen - skirting the Isle of Wight off Sandown and Shanklin.

It has a capacity of 1000-megawatts and can provide enough energy to power 1 million British homes - meeting 1.2 per cent of Britain’s electricity demand.

Wholesale power traders are now able to buy supplies and using the line to access the power in a joint venture with French Transmission System Operator RTE.

The National Grid says it increases the amount of clean energy shared between the two countries and will prevent 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 from entering the atmosphere  in the first year - equivalent to planting 50 million trees.

Jon Butterworth, Managing Director of National Grid Ventures, said: “IFA2 is the latest feat of world-class engineering helping to transform and decarbonise the electricity systems of Britain and its European neighbours.

"We’re delighted to have been able to again work with our partners RTE to strengthen the connection between the French and British power grids.

"Together we are now able to help deliver cleaner, more secure, and more affordable energy to consumers at both ends of the cable."

Since construction began in 2018, IFA2 has seen more than 1,000 engineers and specialists work a total of around 3.2 million working hours to date.