SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission have started building Eastern Green Link 1, a GBP2.5bn (€3bn) high voltage direct current (HVDC) line connecting the south-east of Scotland and the north-east of England (United Kingdom) with a transmission capacity of 2 GW. Most of the 196 km cable will be under the North Sea, with the remaining 20 km of cables underground linking the cable to substations and converter stations in Scotland and England. Completion is expected by 2029.
In November 2024, the UK energy regulator Ofgem awarded a GBP2bn (€2.4bn) funding package to the EGL1 project. In August 2024, Ofgem had also awarded a GBP3.4bn (€4bn) funding package for the 2 GW Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) transmission project, which will connect England and Scotland as well. Two additional projects, Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4) are also currently being considered. The projects are part of The Great Grid Upgrade, a multibillion investment in 17 major projects and new electricity transmission projects to modernise England and Wales’ grid infrastructure and to help connect more renewable energy to the grid.