Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) is a major infrastructure project aimed at strengthening the UK's electricity transmission network by transporting renewable energy from Scotland to England. The £2.5 ($3.15) billion joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission will supply green electricity to two million homes through a 190-kilometer subsea and underground cable connecting Torness in East Lothian, Scotland, with Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, England. The project was approved by Ofgem last year, with onshore construction now underway and offshore construction set to begin this summer.
To ensure efficient long-distance transmission, two converter stations will be built at each landfall site to convert electricity from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Specialist vessels will lay and bury the subsea cable before it is connected to the grid. EGL1 will enable large-scale integration of renewable energy into the national grid, supporting the UK’s efforts to transition to a net-zero energy system while improving energy security.
The start of construction was marked by a visit to Torness by SP Energy Networks CEO Nicola Connelly, National Grid Electricity Transmission President of Strategic Infrastructure Carl Trowell, and Minister for Housing and East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan. During the event, they confirmed an £8 million fund, approved by Ofgem, to support communities in East Lothian and County Durham. The fund will be used for social, environmental, and economic initiatives, recognizing the role of local communities in hosting vital energy infrastructure.
Minister for Housing and MSP for East Lothian, Paul McLennan, said:
“I’m thrilled to be here in my constituency, East Lothian, today, marking the beginning of construction on the subsea electricity superhighway.
EGL1 underscores the importance of East Lothian as a key energy hub, driving Scotland’s renewable energy expansion and regional economic development. The project is expected to create jobs, boost supply chains, and strengthen the UK’s energy infrastructure. Prysmian has been selected to supply nearly 400 kilometers of power cable, while GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions and METLEN Energy & Metals will build the HVDC converter stations.
With construction underway and completion expected by 2029, EGL1 is a transformative step in the UK’s clean energy transition. It builds upon the success of the Western Link, another major subsea transmission project operated by SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission. The project team will continue engaging with local stakeholders to maximize the benefits of the community funding initiative, ensuring long-term economic and environmental gains.
