Peterhead groundbreaking marks start of construction on the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project

EGL2 Groundbreaking
Images: Representatives of SSEN Transmission, National Grid Electricity Transmission and key supply chain partners break ground in Peterhead on the Eastern Green Link 2 project.

  • Construction begins in Aberdeenshire on the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2)

  • EGL2 is a £4.3bn* 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission cable from Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in Yorkshire delivered as a joint venture by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET)

  • Once complete, the project will be the UK's single biggest ever electricity transmission project, including the longest HVDC cable in the country, and will transport enough clean energy to power around two million homes.

A milestone in the step towards decarbonising national energy infrastructure, representatives from SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), who will deliver the project as a joint venture, took the first ceremonial spadefuls of earth marking the start of main construction, at events held in Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and Drax in North Yorkshire.

At 500km+ in length, the project includes what will be the longest HVDC subsea cable in the UK (436km) and is the UK’s single largest electricity transmission project ever, providing enough green electricity to power around two million homes.

The project will support hundreds of skilled jobs during the construction phase and thousands more across the wider economy, including through supply chain activity.

EGL2 Groundbreaking
Chair of the SSEN Transmission Board, Gregor Alexander, was joined in Peterhead by other representatives from SSEN Transmission and NGET, as well as representatives from key supply chain partners on the project Prysmian, who will manufacture and install the cable, and Hitachi Energy and BAM, who together will supply convertor stations at either end of the link, as well as representatives from the industry regulator Ofgem too.

The landmark moment follows on from Ofgem confirming its final approval on the costs associated with delivery of project, allowing construction on the 525kV 2GW subsea connection to get started.

Commenting at the ceremony, the Chair of SSEN Transmission’s Board, Gregor Alexander, said: 
“Today’s groundbreaking is a landmark day in this nationally critical infrastructure project, and testament to a huge collective effort from the project teams at SSEN Transmission and NGET who have worked tirelessly to get us to a stage where construction work can begin.

“EGL2 will play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also generate jobs and provide a legacy to local communities here in the north-east of Scotland, where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives.

“We are committed to working alongside the local community throughout the lifetime of the project and beyond, as we aim to be a positive force in the communities we operate.”

Akshay Kaul, Ofgem Director General for Infrastructure Group, said:
“Today is a historic occasion. Not only is construction starting on EGL2, Britain’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, but we’re also standing here two years earlier than we might have been thanks to Ofgem’s fast track new process which cuts red tape to get consumers across the country connected to renewable energy more quickly.

“Harnessing homegrown clean energy will help build a secure energy future for Britain, and projects like EGL2 are pivotal in our move towards that. The part Scotland plays in achieving that goal cannot be overstated, and the long-term gains for Scottish billpayers, in terms of secure, more affordable, and cleaner power will be reaped for generations to come.”

EGL2 is expected to be fully energised and operational in 2029.

* Ofgem has calculated a total expected nominal investment figure of £3.4bn which is based on 2018/19 prices, the base for the price control. Adjusted for inflation this equates to around £4.3bn.