Building Begins on UK’s £4.3bn Electricity Superhighway

The construction of a groundbreaking £4.3 billion electricity superhighway connecting Scotland and England has officially commenced, marking a significant step towards decarbonising the energy system. Representatives from National Grid and SSEN Transmission took part in a momentous groundbreaking ceremony at each end of the subsea link in Peterhead, Scotland, and Wren Hall in Drax, North Yorkshire. This milestone event signalled the beginning of the main construction phase for the 2GW subsea electricity link.

The EGL2 project will see a subsea cable spanning 436km from Peterhead to the East Yorkshire coast at Fraisthorpe Sands, coming ashore to run underground for 68km to a new high voltage current (HVDC) converter station at Drax. Once operational, this superhighway will tap into Scotland’s abundant renewable energy resources, significantly boosting the UK’s capacity to supply clean energy to approximately two million homes.

During peak construction periods, the project is expected to create hundreds of local jobs in Yorkshire through supply chain and construction activities. Over 200 representatives from local businesses attended a buyer event earlier this year, highlighting diverse skillsets in areas such as plant hire, catering, steel fixing, and logistics. National Grid remains committed to utilising local suppliers wherever possible, fostering employment opportunities and establishing shorter supply chains for enhanced sustainability.

Key stakeholders, including specialists from HVDC cable supplier Prysmian, Hitachi Energy, and BAM responsible for the converter stations, underscored the collaborative effort and support for this highly anticipated scheme. Commenting on the project, National Grid’s Offshore Delivery Director Zac Richardson expressed the significance of EGL2 in facilitating the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy. He emphasised that EGL2 is the first of four proposed 2GW projects between Scotland and England, collectively capable of powering eight million homes with renewable electricity.

Ofgem Director General for Infrastructure Group, Akshay Kaul, hailed the commencement of EGL2 as a historic moment, marking the initiation of Britain’s largest-ever electricity transmission project. He credited Ofgem’s fast-track process for expediting the project’s timeline, enabling consumers across the country to connect to renewable energy sooner. Kaul stressed the importance of harnessing domestic clean energy to bolster Britain’s energy security, positioning projects like EGL2 as pivotal in advancing towards a sustainable energy future.

The project is slated for completion and operational launch in 2029, representing a significant leap towards achieving the UK’s net-zero goals. The captivating image courtesy of National Grid showcases the Wren Hall Converter Station site with the iconic backdrop of Drax Power Station, symbolising the evolution towards a greener, more sustainable energy landscape.