by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The lights in Kent are set to stay on after the installation of a new 500MW cable link between the county and France through the Channel Tunnel.

The British and French governments are backing the £210m project by Chunnel operator Eurotunnel and STAR Capital to link the UK and French electricity grids.

Although there are existing two-way flows, mainly undersea, this is the first time that power will be sent through the tunnel.

A 10cm diameter cable will feed power into sub-stations at Selindge and Calais and play a major role in plugging an expected "energy gap" from 2016 when some of the UK’s older power stations begin to shut down.

The ElecLink joint venture, launched last year, will boost existing capacity by 25%.

Depending on supply and demand, it will, for example, enable wind energy generated in Scotland, to be fed through to France while French nuclear-generated energy could come to the UK.

A Eurotunnel spokesman said there would be a predicted energy shortfall from around 2016.. "This interconnector will provide cover for that shortfall," he said. "If this is built, it will prevent electricity blackouts."

Kent was also likely to benefit from possible construction jobs at a proposed site for the sub-station, and ongoing maintenance jobs.

At the Anglo-French Summit earlier this month (Feb), Prime Minister David Cameron and and French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared their support and encouragement for ElecLink,