Ofgem has awarded a £3.4bn funding package to develop Eastern Green Link 2, a subsea and underground ‘superhighway’ for renewable energy in the UK.
Frastracked via Ofgem’s Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, the investment in Eastern Green Link 2 represents the single largest funding in British electricity transmission infrastructure.
The project will pioneer a 500km subterranean cable between Scotland and Yorkshire, enabling electricity generated by offshore wind to power up to two million homes.
Delivered as part of a joint venture between the National Grid and SSEN Transmission, Eastern Green Link 2 will become the largest electricity transmission project in the UK and will include the country’s longest HVDC subsea cable.
Eastern Green Link 2 overview
Eastern Green Link 2 will be connected between Peterhead in the north-east of Scotland and Drax on the east coast of England.
The 525kV 2GW subsea connection will help harness the nation’s abundant wind power resources.
The connection will be 500km long, with 436km running under the North Sea and the remaining 70km underground onshore.
Connection is expected to be operational in 2029 and will help reduce the UK’s dependency on foreign gas imports.
Contracts to develop the infrastructure have been awarded to Prysmian Group to supply around 1,000km of cable and with Hitachi Energy and BAM for the supply of converter stations at either end of the subsea cable.
Ricky Saez, Eastern Green Link 2 Project Director, commented: “Ofgem’s decision to issue its final project assessment decision is a major milestone and testament to the hard work of our project teams within SSEN Transmission and NGET in getting us to the stage where construction can begin later this year.
“We’re also delighted that Aberdeenshire Council has granted approval for our HVDC converter station near Peterhead, and we’d like to thank the council for their efficient handling of our applications and for their recognition of the importance of the project, which will support hundreds of skilled jobs during the construction phase and thousands more across the wider economy.
“Not only will Eastern Green Link 2 play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also provide a lasting legacy in local communities where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives that enhance community wellbeing.
“This is a commitment that will continue throughout the lifetime of the project and beyond, as we aim to be a positive force in the communities we operate.”
Boosting renewable energy and energy security
The Eastern Green Link 2 project is a key component of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, which involves a £20bn investment aimed at upgrading the electricity network in northern Scotland.
This initiative is designed to unlock Scotland’s renewable energy potential and support the UK’s national net zero and energy security goals.
The project is also integral to National Grid’s ‘The Great Grid Upgrade,’ a series of 17 major infrastructure projects that will enhance grid capacity, bolster energy security, and help England and Wales become more self-sufficient in energy production.
