Final approval of first subsea electricity link from Peterhead welcomed
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SSEN Transmission has welcomed Ofgem’s final approval of the first of two subsea links planned connecting Peterhead to demand centres in England.
The High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) subsea link, Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) – with a capacity of 2GW, enough to power over two million homes – has a total estimated investment of around £2.1 billion and will provide essential reinforcements to the GB energy system.
The subsea superhighway of electricity transmission will alleviate existing and future constraints on the electricity transmission network, supporting the growth of new renewable electricity generation and delivering a pathway to net zero emissions.
By enabling the connection of indigenous, low carbon electricity generation, the link will also play a critical role in supporting the UK’s future security of supply, reducing dependence and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets.
Work to progress EGL2, from Peterhead to Drax in Yorkshire in England, will be taken forward as a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET).
Early enabling works are expected to commence in summer 2024, with main construction works due to begin in early 2025, with a targeted energisation date of 2029.
This major investment will also support hundreds of green jobs throughout construction and operation and many thousands more throughout the supply chain and wider economy, playing a key role in the green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: “We welcome Ofgem’s final approval the first of two subsea links planned to connect Peterhead in Scotland to demand centres in England.
“Following fast on the heels of last week’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ announcement, these links are critical to our net zero ambitions, delivering UK and Scottish Government renewable targets and reducing our dependence on volatile wholesale gas markets by supporting indigenous low carbon electricity generation.
“We now look forward to delivering this critical national infrastructure, which will support hundreds of highly skilled jobs throughout the construction phase and thousands more throughout the economy.”
Ofgem has also approved plans for a separate 2GW HVDC subsea link from Torness in south-east Scotland to Hawthorn Pit in north-east England, which is being taken forward by SP Energy Networks and NGET, with a targeted energisation date of 2027.
Last week, the electricity system operator, National Grid ESO, published the "Pathway to 2030" setting out the onshore and offshore electricity network requirements to deliver 2030 government targets.
For the north of Scotland, this included more than £7 billion of investment, which includes SSEN Transmission’s share of the investment required for EGL2.
