National Grid is inviting communities in parts of eastern England to view proposals for two new primarily offshore electricity infrastructure projects.
Communities in East Lindsey, Boston and South Holland in Lincolnshire, and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk have been invited to view and comment on the proposals, starting from today, until 17 June.
Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4) form part of The Great Grid Upgrade.
The projects are primarily subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity links, with associated infrastructure, between Scotland and England.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is jointly developing EGL 3 with SSEN Transmission (SSEN) and EGL 4 with SP Energy Networks (SPEN).
EGL 3 would run from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, under the North Sea via marine cables to a potential landfall location on the Lincolnshire coastline, either at Theddlethorpe or Anderby Creek. EGL 4 would run from Westfield, Fife, also via marine cables under the North Sea to the same landfall location as EGL 3.
After making landfall, both projects’ cables will run underground for approximately 100km to two proposed converter stations in the Walpole, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, area.
Underground cables would then connect the converter stations to the transmission network via a new proposed substation, also within the Walpole area.
EGL 3 and EGL 4 are needed as the existing transmission network does not have enough capacity to securely and reliably transport the increasing amount of energy generated in Scotland, particularly from offshore wind.
Consulting on both projects together gives local communities the opportunity to see how proposed electricity infrastructure in the region can be linked together, and the potential opportunities for co-locating elements of each project, both buildings and underground cables.
EGL 3 and EGL 4 are both separate to the Grimsby to Walpole project, which is a proposal for 90 miles of new onshore electricity transmission line needed to reinforce the electricity grid and connect a number of onshore generation projects as well as subsea cable links, interconnectors and two offshore wind farms.
James Goode, Project Director for National Grid, said: “Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4 are a critical part of the new electricity infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero.
“Harnessing the full potential of Britain’s clean energy resources will enable us to be less dependent on global fossil fuels and will play a critical role in supporting the nation’s future security of supply.
“We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our initial proposals.”