BAM UK & Ireland has been appointed by National Grid Electricity Transmission to deliver construction works for the southern converter station of Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL-3) in Walpole, Norfolk, England. Meanwhile, the appointment expands BAM’s role in the Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project. The proposed 2 GW transmission link will connect Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Walpole in Norfolk. Consequently, it will strengthen the network’s capacity to transport renewable electricity between Scotland and England.
The latest contract award follows BAM’s earlier appointment for the northern converter station near Peterhead. Meanwhile, National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission are jointly developing EGL3. The project will use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables to transmit large volumes of electricity. Additionally, this will help reduce transmission constraints and improve renewable energy delivery to areas of demand. Once operational, the link is expected to supply enough electricity for approximately two million homes.
The southern converter station works will involve BAM working with National Grid, with Mott MacDonald supporting as lead civil and structural designer. The contract value has not been disclosed. However, the appointment represents a further step in preparing the infrastructure needed to connect the planned transmission cable system to the electricity network in eastern England.
Project Scope and Technical Specifications
Eastern Green Link 3 is a planned 2 GW, 525-kilovolt (kV) HVDC transmission link. It will span approximately 680 kilometres between Scotland and England. Additionally, the project will combine subsea and underground cables with converter stations at both ends. These facilities will enable electricity transmission between the two regions.
The southern converter station will be built at Walpole in Norfolk. BAM’s appointment covers construction works at the facility. Meanwhile, Mott MacDonald will provide lead civil and structural design support. The northern converter station is planned near Peterhead. Additionally, BAM has an earlier contractor involvement agreement for this facility, covering design development and constructability support.
The wider project also involves Hitachi Energy, which has been appointed to deliver the HVDC converter technology, and NKT, which will supply the subsea and underground cable system. National Grid and SSEN Transmission announced contracts for these major packages in March 2026, with a combined value of nearly £3 billion. That amount relates to the converter and cable contracts announced at the time, rather than the newly awarded BAM construction package.
The converter stations will convert electricity between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC), enabling efficient transmission over long distances and integration with the existing electricity network. Civil engineering works will provide the buildings, foundations, access roads, drainage and other supporting infrastructure required for the installation and operation of the electrical equipment.
Construction Timeline and Project Status
The appointment announced on 9 November 2026 advances preparations for the southern converter station. However, the overall transmission project remains subject to the relevant statutory approvals, and the contract announcement does not mean that full construction of EGL3 has begun.
National Grid’s March 2026 update indicated that construction is expected to begin in 2028, subject to approval. Meanwhile, the link is targeted for energisation in 2033. However, both dates remain planned milestones and are not yet achieved. This is as Eastern Green Link 4 plans to start construction in 2028 ahead of 2029 completion date.
Meanwhile, BAM’s work at the northern converter station is progressing through an earlier development phase. The initial agreement provides design and constructability input, with the next phase of detailed design and construction works previously expected to be awarded in 2027. This staged approach allows engineering requirements and site logistics to be developed before major civil works and equipment installation proceed.
The value of BAM’s southern contract has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, the final construction schedule will depend on regulatory approvals and design development. It will also require coordination with equipment suppliers and readiness of the associated cable and grid infrastructure.
Importance to the UK Electricity Network
EGL3 forms part of National Grid’s wider Great Grid Upgrade programme, which aims to reinforce electricity transmission infrastructure and improve the movement of low-carbon electricity across Great Britain.
Scotland has significant wind power resources. However, limited transmission capacity can restrict electricity transfers to other parts of the country. EGL3 will add a 2 GW connection between Scotland and England. Consequently, it aims to reduce grid constraints and deliver more renewable electricity to areas of high demand.
The project is also expected to strengthen energy security. It will improve the capacity and resilience of the national transmission network. However, its full benefits will depend on completing the link, connecting available power generation and expanding the wider electricity network.
For BAM UK & Ireland, the award strengthens its involvement in major electricity transmission infrastructure. Additionally, its work at both ends of EGL3 builds on its role in Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2). Under that project, BAM is working with project partners to construct converter stations at Peterhead in Scotland and Drax in North Yorkshire.
Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3): Project Fact Sheet
Project type: High-voltage electricity transmission infrastructure
Route: Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Walpole, Norfolk, England
Transmission capacity: 2GW
Voltage: 525kV HVDC
Approximate route length: 680km
Joint developers: National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission
Southern converter station construction partner: BAM UK & Ireland
Northern converter station involvement: BAM UK & Ireland, under an early contractor involvement agreement
Lead civil and structural designer for southern works: Mott MacDonald
HVDC converter technology supplier: Hitachi Energy
Cable system supplier: NKT
Southern station location: Walpole, Norfolk
Construction start: Planned for 2028, subject to approvals
Target energisation: 2033
Primary purpose: Increase electricity transmission capacity, reduce network constraints and support renewable energy integration.
Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) Project: Principal Companies
BAM UK & Ireland : Construction partner for the southern converter station and early contractor involvement partner for the northern station.
National Grid Electricity Transmission: Joint developer of EGL3 and contracting authority for the southern converter station works.
SSEN Transmission : Joint developer responsible for the Scottish transmission network and northern project development.
Mott MacDonald: Lead civil and structural designer for the southern converter station works.
Hitachi Energy : HVDC converter technology delivery partner.
NKT : Supplier of the subsea and underground cable system.
Leave a Reply