WORK is underway on the creation of a £4.3 billion subsea electricity link between Scotland and England.
Simultaneous groundbreaking ceremonies were held in Peterhead and Drax to mark the start of what will be the UK’s single biggest ever electricity transmission project, which is being delivered by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity (NGET).
Measuring 500km in length, the project includes what will be the longest HVDC subsea cable in the UK at 436km and will provide enough green electricity to power around two million homes.
Chair of the SSEN Transmission board, Gregor Alexander, was joined in Peterhead by other representatives from SSEN Transmission and NGET, as well as representatives from key supply chain partners on the project Prysmian, who will manufacture and install the cable, and Hitachi Energy and BAM, who together will supply convertor stations at either end of the link, as well as representatives from the industry regulator Ofgem too.
The groundbreaking ceremony follows on from Ofgem confirming its final approval on the costs associated with delivery of project, allowing construction on the 525kV 2GW subsea connection to get started.
SSEN said that the project will support hundreds of skilled jobs during the construction phase and thousands more across the wider economy, including through supply chain activity.
Gregor Alexander, said, “Today’s groundbreaking is a landmark day in this nationally critical infrastructure project, and testament to a huge collective effort from the project teams at SSEN Transmission and NGET who have worked tirelessly to get us to a stage where construction work can begin.
“EGL2 will play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also generate jobs and provide a legacy to local communities here in the north-east of Scotland, where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives.
“We are committed to working alongside the local community throughout the lifetime of the project and beyond, as we aim to be a positive force in the communities we operate.”
Akshay Kaul, Ofgem director general for infrastructure group, added, “Today is a historic occasion. Not only is construction starting on EGL2, Britain’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, but we’re also standing here two years earlier than we might have been thanks to Ofgem’s fast track new process which cuts red tape to get consumers across the country connected to renewable energy more quickly.
“Harnessing homegrown clean energy will help build a secure energy future for Britain, and projects like EGL2 are pivotal in our move towards that. The part Scotland plays in achieving that goal cannot be overstated, and the long-term gains for Scottish billpayers, in terms of secure, more affordable, and cleaner power will be reaped for generations to come.
EGL2 is expected to be fully energised and operational in 2029.
