National Grid and SSEN Transmission have agreed a joint venture to build the 2GW Eastern Green Link 2 subsea cable linking northern Scotland to England.
The 525kW high voltage direct current (HVDC) connection is pegged as the UK’s largest electricity transmission project to date.
A 436km cable will be laid between Peterhead and Drax, connecting into existing network infrastructure at either end, along with new converter stations.
Following final approval from Ofgem work is expected to commence in 2024, with a targeted operational date of 2029.
EGL2 will support the growth of new renewable electricity generation, creating jobs and delivering a pathway to net zero emissions targets, as well as helping to alleviate existing constraints on the electricity network, the companies said.
National Grid president for UK strategic infrastructure Carl Trowell added: “The government ambition of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030 demands unprecedented scale and complexity of action.
“It’s essential that we find new ways to work and unite as a sector to rise to this challenge and this joint venture with SSEN is a prime example.
“This new infrastructure will connect more clean, renewable energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed, helping contribute to lower energy bills over the long-term and make the UK’s energy more self-sufficient.”
SSEN Transmission’s finance director Maz Alkirwi noted: “Connecting the north of Scotland down to northern England and transporting renewable power to communities across the country is crucial in delivering government targets for tackling climate change.
“It’s a massive credit to the teams at SSEN Transmission and NGET for getting us to this big milestone.
“It’s an important moment in a major investment in critical national infrastructure and we’re looking forward to working with National Grid on its delivery.”