National Grid has launched consultations for two more multi-billion pound electricity links between England and Scotland.
The two projects – Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4) – are part of wider plans to create “electricity superhighways” between the two countries.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is jointly developing EGL 3 with SSEN Transmission (SSEN) and EGL 4 with SP Energy Networks (SPEN).
EGL 3 would run from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, under the North Sea via marine cables to a potential landfall location on the Lincolnshire coastline. EGL 4 would run from Westfield, Fife, also via marine cables under the North Sea to the same landfall location as EGL 3.
After making landfall, both projects’ cables will run underground for approximately 100km to two proposed converter stations in the Walpole, King’s Lynn and the West Norfolk, area. Underground cables would then connect the converter stations to the transmission network via a new proposed substation, also within the Walpole area.
James Goode, project director for National Grid, said: “Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4 are a critical part of the new electricity infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero.
“Harnessing the full potential of Britain’s clean energy resources will enable us to be less dependent on global fossil fuels and will play a critical role in supporting the nation’s future security of supply.
“We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our initial proposals.”
The projects follow on from the development of EGL1 and EGL2 both of which have reached planning milestones in the past month.
EGL1 – a 2GW high-voltage direct cable subsea cable connecting East Lothian and County Durham – became the first project to be approved under the regulator’s new Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) scheme last month.