Eastern Green Link 1 Begins Construction, Strengthening UK’s Clean Energy Transmission

The UK’s electricity grid is set to receive a major upgrade with the construction of Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), a £2.5 billion ($3.15 billion) infrastructure project designed to transport renewable energy from Scotland to England. The joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission will deliver green electricity to two million homes via a 190-kilometer subsea and underground cable connecting Torness in East Lothian, Scotland, with Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, England.

Approved by Ofgem, onshore construction is now underway, with offshore work set to begin this summer. The project includes two converter stations at each landfall site to convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), ensuring efficient long-distance transmission. Specialist vessels will lay and bury the subsea cable before it is connected to the grid. EGL1 will enhance energy security while integrating large-scale renewable energy into the UK’s national grid, supporting the country’s net-zero transition.

To recognize the importance of local communities hosting this key energy infrastructure, an £8 million fund, approved by Ofgem, has been launched to support social, environmental, and economic initiatives in East Lothian and County Durham. The start of construction was marked by a visit to Torness by SP Energy Networks CEO Nicola Connelly, National Grid Electricity Transmission President Carl Trowell, and Minister for Housing and East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan, who stated:

“I’m thrilled to be here in my constituency, East Lothian, today, marking the beginning of construction on the subsea electricity superhighway.”

EGL1 will reinforce East Lothian’s role as an energy hub, boosting Scotland’s renewable energy sector and supporting regional economic growth. The project will generate jobs, enhance supply chains, and strengthen the UK’s energy infrastructure. Key partners include Prysmian, supplying 400km of power cable, and GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions and METLEN Energy & Metals, responsible for HVDC converter stations.

With completion expected by 2029, EGL1 builds upon the success of the Western Link and marks a crucial step in the UK’s shift toward clean energy. The project team will continue engaging with local stakeholders to maximize community benefits, ensuring long-term economic and environmental progress.