SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission have taken a big step forward in the development of a new subsea electricity superhighway project along the east coast of the UK after reaching an agreement on the terms of their joint venture.
The ‘Eastern Green Link 2’ (EGL2) project will see the creation of a 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current subsea transmission cable from Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in England.
The project is being hailed by the partners as “the UK’s single largest electricity transmission project ever.”
The subsea HVDC cable system is approximately 436km in length with new converter stations at either end to connect it to the existing transmission network infrastructure.
High-voltage direct current technology provides the most efficient and reliable means of transmitting large amounts of power over long distances subsea.
The EGL2 link will support the growth of new renewable electricity generation and help alleviate existing constraints on the electricity network.
The project is in response to the significant amount of new network infrastructure required for net zero in the UK, forming part of National Grid’s ambitious Great Grid Upgrade, announced earlier this year.
Commenting on the signing of the agreement, SSEN Transmission’s finance director Maz Alkirwi said: “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 an important moment in a major investment in critical national infrastructure and we’re looking forward to working with National Grid on its delivery.
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National Grid’s president for UK strategic infrastructure Carl Trowell added: “Eastern Green Link 2 is part of our Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the grid in generations. 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.”
Work to progress the project will now be taken forward as a formal joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission. Following final approval from Ofgem, work is expected to commence in 2024, with a targeted operational date of 2029.
