The Eastern Green Link 1 Construction which involves a partnership between SP Energy Networks (SPEN) and the National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has officially commenced.
This upcoming subsea electricity cable is set to expand the UK grid. It will enable the transportation of green electricity along more than 190 kilometers of cabling that will connect the southeastern part of Scotland with the northeastern part of England.
Project Factsheet
Project Overview: EGL1 is a 196 km long high voltage direct current (HVDC) link designed to transport large amounts of renewable energy from Scotland to England.
Capacity: Once complete, EGL1 will have the capacity to deliver enough electricity to power two million homes.
Developers: The project is a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission.
Environmental Impact: EGL1 aims to support the UK’s transition to clean energy by unlocking Scotland’s renewable energy reserves and increasing the resilience and stability of the UK’s transmission networks
Also read: Eastern Green Link 2: The UK’s Longest Subsea HVDC Cable Project
Eastern Green Link 1 Construction Receives Approval
Last year Ofgem approved the £2.5 billion project. The construction works have commenced at the EGL1’s two landfall points. These points are Torness located in East Lothian and Hawthorn Pit that is located County Durham. A total of two converter stations will be constructed. They will seve the purpose of converting the electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC).
In Torness, the CEO of SPEN Nicola Conelly and the president of strategic infrastructure of NGET, Carl Trowell, were joined by the East Lothin’s MSP Paul McLennan to mark the start of the construction works of the cable project.
Furthermore, they also confirmed that Ofgem has approved an £8 million community benefit fund for the (two) landfall areas. It is set to open later this year and according to transmission owners, recognize the crucial role that the communities will play in hosting the important energy structure and also strengthening energy security in the region.
Also read: UK’s Longest-ever Subsea Connection Cleared for Construction
Significance of the Project
According to Connelly, EGL1 will play a “transformative role” in delivering electricity network that is needed for the future. Additionally, this project is set to spur economic growth by offering jobs and a supply chain boost across UK.
Also commenting on the Commencement of the construction works of the EGL1, the energy minister Michael Shanks stated
“This upcoming electric superhighway will benefit us on our way by transporting more renewable energy under North Sea. This energy transported will be utilized to power millions of homes and businesses. Additionally, the project will support skilled jobs in our industrial heartlands and save the bill payers millions of pounds.”
Currently, the existing infrastructure in UK cannot transport the abundance of wind generation from Scotland to other regions of the nation. Therefore, in the instance when wind generation is high surpassing local demand, National Energy System Operator (NESO) usually orders wind power plants to turn off. This is usually at great cost.
The operation cost is expected to be cut by enabling the power that is generated to be used further afield. This implies to areas that are not close to the renewable energy generation. Therefore the EGL1 sets out as a solution.
Also read: Construction of 600MW Tunisia-Italy Interconnection Cable to be Completed by 2028
