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National Grid and SSEN Transmission have reached a key milestone in the development of the UK’s largest electricity transmission project, Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3). The $3.5bn contracts cover high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations and the subsea and underground power cable system linking Scotland and England.

Hitachi Energy will deliver the HVDC converter stations in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and West Norfolk, England. These stations will include power transformers, which are essential for converting electricity between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) for efficient long-distance transmission. Danish cable manufacturer NKT will design, build, and install the 525kV subsea and underground link connecting the two stations.

The 690km HVDC connection, including roughly 580km offshore, is expected to deliver enough electricity for two million homes. This project is part of the broader Eastern Green Links initiative, which includes four high-voltage subsea and underground links to carry renewable energy from Scotland to other regions of the UK. The goal is to strengthen grid capacity, reduce curtailment of renewable energy, and support energy security and affordability.

Construction is scheduled to start in 2028, subject to approvals from energy authorities, with energisation planned for 2033. According to project officials, EGL3 will help reduce constraint costs caused by insufficient transmission capacity that previously forced wind farms to limit generation.

James Johnson, EGL3 deputy project director, described the project as a “decisive step towards strengthening the electricity network.” Niklas Persson of Hitachi Energy and Claes Westerlind of NKT highlighted the strategic importance of the contracts for the UK’s energy transition and grid reinforcement.

Source: eandt.theiet.org