The Planning Inspectorate has accepted National Grid’s development consent application for its 2GW Sea Link offshore cable.
The 138 km high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable between Suffolk and Kent will help facilitate more renewable energy and strengthen Great Britain’s electricity infrastructure.
Sea Link is a mostly offshore electricity connection linking Pegwell Bay in Kent to the Suffolk coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.
Around 122 km of cables would be laid offshore, with a further 14 km of underground cables linking to new converter stations at each end of the link.
Having been accepted by the Planning Inspectorate, the project now enters the pre-examination phase.
All stakeholders, including members of the public, will shortly be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate as Interested Parties, allowing them to take part in the examination process.
A Preliminary Meeting will be held, after which the Planning Inspectorate will proceed to examination, including a series of public hearings.
Once the examination phase is closed, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will make the final decision on the application.
Adrian Pierssene, Project Director for Sea Link, said: “The acceptance of our application is a significant step forward and reflects the valuable input we have received from local communities and stakeholders.
“Sea Link will play a vital role in connecting more renewable energy to the grid as demand for energy rises, strengthening energy security and helping to deliver a cleaner electricity network.”