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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
Planning consent for UK subsea electricity superhighway
6/9/2023
Planning consent has been given for a new subsea electricity superhighway between Scotland and England. The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project, a joint venture between Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN) and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), will be the longest high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable in the UK.
SSEN and NGET have received planning consents for all the onshore and offshore elements of the ambitious project by all three local planning authorities, and both the Marine Management Organisation in England and Marine Scotland. The new subsea electricity transmission cable will carry enough capacity to power 2 million homes if granted regulatory approval by Ofgem and is claimed to be essential to meet the UK’s net zero commitments.
Once complete, EGL2 will run from a new converter station and landfall point at Sandford Bay, Peterhead, under the North Sea, to landfall at Fraisthorpe on the East Yorkshire coast. From there it will run to a new converter station next to the Drax power station in North Yorkshire.
Sarah Sale, EGL2 Deputy Project Director, says: ‘We are delighted that our plans for the onshore and offshore elements of our project have been approved by all local planning authorities and marine licensing organisations… This renewable electricity superhighway is vital in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and decarbonisation and we’re thrilled to be making such a significant contribution with the largest electricity reinforcement project in the UK.’
Construction is expected to begin in 2024, with a targeted operational date of 2029.
See also, our feature article on ‘HVDC – life after due diligence and the case for standardisation’.
