CONSTRUCTION has started on a £2.5 billion subsea electricity superhighway between Scotland and England.
Eastern Green Link 1, a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), will transport green electricity for two million homes along 190km of undersea cable linking the south-east of Scotland with the north-east of England.
Ofgem gave the green light to the £2.5 billion project last year and onshore works are now underway with offshore construction due to start in the summer.
Two converter stations will be built at the cable’s two landfall points, Torness in East Lothian, and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, changing the electricity from alternating to direct current – the most efficient way for it to travel long distances.
Specialist boats will be used to lay cables across the seabed and bury them throughout the route before connecting them to the grid.
Minister for Housing and MSP for East Lothian, Paul McLennan, was joined by SP Energy Networks CEO Nicola Connelly and NGET president of strategic infrastructure, Carl Trowell in Torness on Thursday where they confirmed an £8 million fund had been approved by Ofgem to support the two communities where the converter stations are to be built.
The funding is to be used for social, environmental and economic benefits in the two regions.
McLennan (below) said he looks forward to making sure the project brings job opportunities to East Lothian and that the funding is used to provide real benefits to the local communities.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be here in my constituency, East Lothian, today, marking the beginning of construction on the subsea electricity superhighway.
“As a key energy hub, East Lothian is at the heart of Scotland’s renewable growth, driving economic opportunities for both the region and the country.
“The £2.5 billion joint investment from SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission highlights their dedication to enhancing energy security while delivering significant social, economic, and environmental benefits to local communities hosting this vital infrastructure.
“I look forward to ongoing collaboration as the project advances and am eager to work with both organisations to advance local job opportunities and ensure the funds bring real benefits to East Lothian communities.”
In December Prysmian was selected to deliver nearly 400km of power cable needed for the 190km route between England and Scotland.
GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business and METLEN Energy & Metals have been chosen to supply and construct the two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the cable.
Connelly said Eastern Green Link 1 will play a “transformative role” in creating a modern electricity network for the future.
She said: “Electricity supports every part of our day-to-day lives and with demand set to double we now need the grid to match.
“Eastern Green Link 1 will play a transformative role in delivering the modern electricity network needed for the future. At the same time, it will deliver economic growth, jobs and a supply chain boost right across the UK but importantly also for the communities hosting this vital infrastructure.
“Together with our partners at National Grid Electricity Transmission we will support our local communities with projects that matter to them and deliver long term social value and direct benefits for years to come.”
