A new visitor hub has officially been opened in Peterhead as part of the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project.
The £4.3 billion project, which will deliver a 505km 2GW subsea cable from Peterhead to Yorkshire, is the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission development and is designed to alleviate grid constraints.
The new visitor facility is located next to the project’s converter site and will act as a dedicated hub for community engagement, education, and project information sharing throughout construction – with works anticipated to complete in 2029.
The hub features interactive educational activities and exhibitions – including VR headsets, a ‘keeping the lights on’ game, a hand-operated generator, information screens, a section of marine cable, an interactive map, an animated walkthrough, and a LEGO model of the converter station.
The visitor hub will also act as a focal point for ongoing consultation, allowing the public to access up-to-date information on construction progress, environmental measures, and community investment initiatives.
EGL2 comes as a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid. Once complete, the link will have the capacity to transmit enough clean electricity to power more than two million homes – which SSEN Transmission said will ‘significantly’ reducing constraints on renewable generation in the north of Scotland.
At a small ceremony in Peterhead on November 7, Jim Buchan, chair of the community fund, cut the ribbon and welcomed visitors into the hub for the first time – joined by key members of the EGL2 project team and some local secondary school children from Peterhead Academy, who were the first to take in the various exhibits on show. “Through the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, we’ve already seen SSEN Transmission’s commitment to our area in action, with over £420,000 awarded to date, making a real difference to local communities.” “The pupils and I were honoured to be invited along to attend the official opening on the new visitor hub and look forward to making more use of it to enhance and contextualise the learning experiences we deliver in school going forward.”
At the same time in Yorkshire, a matching visitor hub was opened at the Wren Hall convertor station site – creating spaces at both ends of the link for people to find out about the subsea electricity superhighway.
Fionán Doonan, EGL2 project director, said, “The opening of the Peterhead Visitor Hub represents a key step in our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and community engagement. EGL2 is a vital component of the UK’s future energy system, and we’re proud to provide a space where people can learn more about how this project will deliver long-term benefits both locally and nationally.
“Over the past year, since construction began, we’ve been delighted to play an active role in the local community through initiatives like beach cleans and participation in events like SeaFest, strengthening our connection with the people and places at the heart of this project.
“Opening the visitor hub today is the next step – and we look forward to welcoming visitors soon.”
Jim Buchan, chair of the EGL2 Peterhead community benefit fund, added, “I’m absolutely delighted to see the visitor hub open its doors. This new facility is a fantastic asset for the community — giving schools, community groups and other local stakeholders the opportunity to engage and learn all about this important infrastructure project as it takes shape.
Gerry McCluskey, head teacher at Peterhead Academy, commented, “Peterhead Academy are delighted to be given the opportunity to work so closely with our learning partners at SSEN Transmission as the EGL2 project progresses. The new visitor hub was a fantastic venue to host one of our career insight sessions at the start of term and really brought to life the careers available to our young people with SSEN Transmission and their partners on EGL2, now and in the near future.
