Construction has started on a subsea electricity superhighway which will help expand the grid for the future.
Eastern Green Link 1, a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission, will transport green electricity for two million homes along over 190 km of predominantly undersea cable linking the south-east of Scotland with the north-east of England.
The £2.5bn project was given the green light by Ofgem last year and onshore works are now underway with offshore construction due to start in the summer.
At the cable’s two landfall points, Torness, in East Lothian (Scotland), and Hawthorn Pit, in County Durham (England), two converter stations will be built to change the electricity from alternating to direct current – the most efficient way for it to travel long distances.
Specialist boats are then used to lay the cable across the seabed and bury it throughout the route before connecting it to the grid.
Today in Torness, SP Energy Networks CEO, Nicola Connelly and National Grid Electricity Transmission President of Strategic Infrastructure, Carl Trowell, were joined by Minister for Housing and MSP for East Lothian, Paul McLennan, to mark construction getting underway.
They confirmed an £8m fund has been approved by Ofgem to support communities and deliver social, environmental and economic benefits where the cable meets land in East Lothian and County Durham.
McLennan said: “I’m thrilled to be here in my constituency, East Lothian, today, marking the beginning of construction on the subsea electricity superhighway.
“As a key energy hub, East Lothian is at the heart of Scotland’s renewable growth, driving economic opportunities for both the region and the country.
“The £2.5 billion joint investment from SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission highlights their dedication to enhancing energy security while delivering significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to local communities hosting this vital infrastructure.
“I look forward to ongoing collaboration as the project advances and am eager to work with both organisations to advance local job opportunities and ensure the funds bring real benefits to East Lothian communities.”
Connelly said: “Electricity supports every part of our day-to-day lives and with demand set to double we now need the grid to match.
“Eastern Green Link 1 will play a transformative role in delivering the modern electricity network needed for the future.
“At the same time, it will deliver economic growth, jobs and a supply chain boost right across the UK but importantly also for the communities hosting this vital infrastructure.
“Together with our partners at National Grid Electricity Transmission we will support our local communities with projects that matter to them and deliver long term social value and direct benefits for years to come.”
In the coming weeks, the Eastern Green Link 1 project team will be meeting with local stakeholders and communities to help shape the funding to match their needs and maximise the benefits for the community and wider region before it opens for applications.
National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Energy Networks announced in December 2023 that Prysmian has been selected to deliver nearly 400 km of power cable needed for the 190 km route between England and Scotland.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business and METLEN Energy & Metals have been selected to supply and construct two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the cable.