BAM is to deliver the first phase of civil engineering works for the northern converter station on the proposed £3 billion Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project, SSEN Transmission has announced.
The agreement has secured early contractor involvement (ECI) from BAM – including design and constructability support for the converter station and associated civil works – at the site near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.
The next phase of works, due to be awarded in 2027, will comprise the detailed design and construction of buildings, access roads, drainage and other key elements required to support installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology.
EGL3 is a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission, designed to deliver a 2GW, 525kV HVDC link between Peterhead and Norfolk. Spanning approximately 680km of onshore and subsea cable, the project will transport large volumes of renewable electricity between Scotland and England.
If consented, and once complete, EGL3 will play a central role in strengthening energy security and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy by enabling more clean, homegrown energy to flow across the network. By increasing transmission capacity between Scotland and England, the project will help reduce constraint costs and ensure renewable generation can be used more efficiently, SSEN Transmission said.
The civil works contract with BAM represents a key step in preparing the northern converter station site for the installation of HVDC equipment, ensuring the proposed project remains on track for delivery.
James Johnson, SSEN Transmission’s joint venture programme director – and the deputy project director for EGL3, said, “Signing this contract with BAM is another important milestone for EGL3 as we continue to secure the supply chain needed to deliver this nationally significant infrastructure project.
“The northern converter station is a critical component of the project, and the safe, efficient and timely installation of the civils works will be central to enabling the subsequent installation of the HVDC technology and is therefore key to the success of the project.
“EGL3 will play a vital role in unlocking Scotland’s renewable energy potential and delivering clean power to homes and businesses across the UK, while also supporting jobs and economic growth in the north-east of Scotland.”
Adrian Collins, director at BAM UK & Ireland, added, “We’re so pleased to be continuing our work on Eastern Green Link, helping to distribute valuable renewable energy from Scotland to England. Our ECI agreement marks a significant step in that process, which will deliver critical infrastructure for the Peterhead converter station. We look forward to working alongside our project partners and playing our role in bringing clean, renewable power to all corners of the UK.”
EGL3 forms part of a wider programme of major grid reinforcements being delivered across Great Britain to support the country’s clean power ambitions. The project will help remove transmission bottlenecks, enabling renewable energy generated in Scotland and offshore to be transported to where it is needed most.
The proposed project’s converter station site in Scotland, at the Netherton Hub, has received planning in principle – and following extensive public consultation in relation to the planned works in England, a planning application is expected to be submitted later this year. Subject to approval, construction is due to begin in 2028, with the link expected to be energised in 2033.
Construction of the converter station civil works is expected to deliver opportunities for local businesses and support jobs across the region, contributing to wider economic growth in Aberdeenshire and beyond, SSEN Transmission said.
