Contracts for the converter stations and cable system that will make up the Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project have been signed, marking a major milestone for the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project – a critical step towards reducing costs for consumers and delivering an economic boost for the UK.
The EGL3 contracts confirm Hitachi Energy as the delivery partner for the high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and West Norfolk, England, and NKT as the delivery partner for the subsea and underground cable that will link the converter stations. Together, these agreements, totalling nearly £3 billion, will see the delivery of a 690km high voltage link, including approximately 580km offshore between Scotland and England, capable of transporting enough power for two million homes – making EGL3 the largest electricity transmission project of its kind in the UK.
Once operational, EGL3 will play a central role in reducing constraint costs – the payments made when wind farms are asked to turn down generation due to limited grid capacity. With renewable generation strongest offshore and along the east coast and in Scotland, EGL3 will help remove transmission bottlenecks so that cleaner, homegrown electricity can flow to where it is needed. By increasing transmission capacity between Scotland and England, the project will strengthen the UK’s energy security and support more affordable energy bills.
The contracts emphasise the importance of a strong and resilient supply chain to deliver the scale of infrastructure required for the energy transition. Hitachi Energy and NKT are both strategic partners for National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission across their wider portfolios, supporting efforts to secure global supply chains, drive innovation, and maximise the economic value of major grid investments for the UK.
Mark Brackley, Project Director for Eastern Green Link 3 at National Grid, said, “Signing these contracts is a major milestone for EGL3 and for the joint venture between National Grid and SSEN Transmission. By working with world class supply chain partners, we are investing in infrastructure that will reduce constraint costs, strengthen energy security and ensure more clean electricity can flow to homes and businesses across the country, while also supporting jobs and economic growth in the regions.”
EGL3 has already received planning in principle for the converter station site in Scotland through the Netherton Hub and has undergone two rounds of public consultation in relation to the planned works in England, with a planning application expected to be submitted later this year. Subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, construction is due to begin in 2028, with the link expected to be energised in 2033.
