A £2.5 billion subsea electricity superhighway has taken a step forward following the appointment of a consortium to its delivery team.
Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) will see a 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable installed, linking Torness in East Lothian, Scotland, to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, England.
It could play a key part in the new network infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero.
When constructed, EGL1 could power more than two million homes across the UK.
The project is being driven by National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Transmission, part of SP Energy Networks (SPEN).
GE Vernova and MYTILINEOS have been selected as preferred suppliers for the major project’s two required HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the 190 km cable.
Both will provide the engineering works and technology for the terminals to convert the direct current for use in the onshore transmission network.
Prysmian Group was recently selected for the HVDC cabling contract.
“With our partner selections, there will be significant local content provided by UK-based manufacturing, engineering, and construction industries,” said National Grid.
Following final approval by Ofgem, full contracts are expected to be completed later this year.
Construction work is due to begin in 2024.
The project’s targeted operational date is 2029.
“This is an important milestone for EGL1 which is part of the new network infrastructure required to help the UK meet its net zero and energy security ambitions,” said EGL1’s converter package lead, James Goode.
“Along with the formal joint venture announcement, this is another key part of the project. We look forward to working in collaboration with GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business and MYTILINEOS as the project continues to progress.”
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