Green light for UK’s 2 GW subsea connection
Ofgem has given its final approval on the costs associated with the delivery of Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), enabling construction to start on the 525 kV 2 GW subsea connection.
Image for illustration purposes.
UK, Scotland: Ofgem has given its final approval on the costs associated with the delivery of Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), enabling construction to start on the 525 kV 2 GW subsea connection between Peterhead in the north-east of Scotland and Drax on the east coast of England. The final decision on the project assessment for the 500+ km high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable is the key final approval in the regulatory process and allows construction to begin later this year, with the connection set to be operational in 2029. Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire Council has granted the final planning approval for a new HVDC converter station to be built near Peterhead, with construction to start at the site near Boddam later this year.
Delivered as a joint venture by National Grid and SSEN Transmission, EGL2 will include the longest HVDC subsea cable in the UK and is the country’s largest transmission project ever, providing enough electricity to supply two million homes. At a total expected nominal investment of around £4.3 billion, it is also the largest-ever investment in the country’s transmission infrastructure and one of the most significant, strategic investments in energy infrastructure the country has seen recently. Contracts have been awarded to deliver the project, including with Prysmian Group to supply around 1000 km of cable and with Hitachi Energy and BAM for the supply of converter stations.
The project forms part of SSEN Transmission’s Pathway to 2030 programme, a £20 billion investment to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland to unlock renewable resources in support of net zero and energy security targets. It is also part of National Grid’s The Great Grid Upgrade, 17 major projects that will update the network boosting energy security, affordability and helping England and Wales become more self-sufficient.
Source: SSEN Transmission
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