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Plans for an electricity “superhighway” between England and Scotland have moved a step closer to reality.
A joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), has signed contracts with specialist high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable supplier Prysmian and with Hitachi Energy and Bam for the supply of converter stations at either end of the Eastern Green Link 2 project.
The project will see the creation of a 2GW subsea transmission cable from Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in Yorkshire, England.
At 436km long, it will be the UK’s longest HVDC cable.
SSEN Transmission EGL2 project director Ricky Saez said: “Getting the contract signed with Hitachi Energy and Bam for delivery of the convertor stations is another big step in delivering EGL2.
“The convertor stations at either end of the cable will play a crucial role in making the power transported by this HVDC link onto the onshore transmission network quicker.
“By signing up today Hitachi Energy and BAM – who have a great track record in delivering infrastructure like this – will allow that technology to improve the network and flow of greener energy.
“Likewise signing the cable contract with Prysmian is a hugely important step too, particularly given global supply chain constraints in HVDC cabling – the cable being the crucial link between both converter. This is a fantastic moment for the EGL2 project.”
Neil Lyons, project director for National Grid, added: “Signing contracts with Hitachi Energy, Bam and Prysmian marks another important milestone for the EGL2 project and our supply chain as we begin to deliver the largest electricity transmission project in the UK.
“We look forward to working with them closely as this vital new network infrastructure progresses.”
The proposed project has now secured all the planning consents required for all onshore and offshore elements of the project, including new converter stations and onshore and offshore cables.
Work is expected to commence later this year and licensed activities are expected to commence in 2025, with a targeted operational date of 2029.
A second application has been submitted for another electricity “superhighway” from the Torness area in East Lothian to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham.
The two links are estimated to cost £3.4 billion in total, making the project the largest electricity transmission investment in Britain’s recent history.
In total, there are plans for four such connections along the east coast of Britain – each with a capacity of 2GW.
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