Overview of East Coast Projects
The east coast of Scotland is critical to enabling the delivery of the UK and Scottish Governments renewable energy targets, connecting a number of onshore and offshore renewable power and improving infrastructure to transport that power south through overhead lines and a subsea cable. To be able to achieve the government’s targets this work will need to be completed by 2030, in line with our pathway to 2030 plans.
We have committed to deliver a new overhead line, reinforcement of the existing lines, new substations and subsea cable links.
East Coast 400kV Phase 2 Projects
The East Coast 400kV Phase 2 scheme consists of several onshore reinforcement projects on the east coast. These include the development of new infrastructure and upgrading existing infrastructure to 400kV capability in order to transfer more power in both ours and Scottish Power Transmission’s area, with most of the works within our area.
There are several projects that contribute to the full scheme:
Kintore-Tealing 400kV OHL Connection
30-35km of new 400kV overhead line between the existing Kintore site to a new 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Fetteresso substation. An extension to the 400kV substation at Kintore which is currently under construction. 60-70km of new 400kV overhead line between the new proposed Tealing and Kintore substations.
Hurlie 400kV Substation
A new 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Fetteresso substation.
Emmock 400kV Substation
A new proposed 400kV capable substation within the vicinity of the existing Tealing substation.
Alyth – Tealing Overhead line Reconductor
Upgrade to 400kV capability by reconductoring of the existing Alyth – Tealing 275kV overhead line. When the Alyth – Tealing and Tealing – Westfield/ Glenrothes lines are upgraded to 400kV they will be connected into the new Tealing 400kV site.
Tealing – Westfield Overhead line Reconductor
Upgrade to 400kV capability by reconductoring of the existing Tealing – Westfield/Glenrothes 275kV overhead line down to the Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) border. SPT will continue the works on their section of overhead line within the relevant license area. When the Alyth – Tealing and Tealing – Westfield/ Glenrothes lines are upgraded to 400kV they will be connected into the new Tealing 400kV site.
These projects are in the early stage of development, we have undertaken public consultations on progress to date covering the entire scheme in May 2023 with more public consultations planned in 2024.
Eastern Green Link 2
To support the ongoing growth of renewable generation in the area, we are required to install a 2GW subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable link from Peterhead to Drax in Yorkshire. This will help to reduce congestion on the onshore transmission network by allowing the flow of energy through the subsea cable. This project is being jointly developed with National Grid Electricity Transmission and it is currently progressing through the procurement and development stages.
Eastern Green Link 3
A 2GW, 525kV subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) link between Peterhead and South Humber in England is required to enable the transmission from generators in the northeast of Scotland to demand centres in the south of England. The link will require 2 HVDC converter substations on land, one at each end of the cable. HVDC Converter Stations (a specialised type of substation) convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), and vice versa, for transmission purposes.
Netherton Hub
A second 400kV substation is required in the Peterhead area to support offshore and onshore electricity generation connections as well as onshore and offshore transmission infrastructure in the area. The substation will be similar to the first 400kV substation which is due to be commissioned in 2023. A 132kV substation is proposed to support further future generation and storage connections from third party developers. HVDC converter stations are required for the Spittal to Peterhead subsea cable, and the Eastern Green Link 3. A switching station is required to facilitate coordinated DC connections on the network and from generation sources. This will reduce the required footprint for future HVDC connections and help to ensure a more resilient transmission network.