The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted a Development Consent Order for the 2 GW Sea Link project, a subsea electricity connection between Suffolk and Kent, United Kingdom (British government press release, 30/10/2026). The consent allows the project to move towards construction, which is expected to start in early 2027. The project could be commissioned in 2031.
The Sea Link project consists of a 138 km primarily offshore high voltage electricity link between Kent and Suffolk proposed by National Grid. It also comprises the construction of a new converter station within 5 km of the proposed Friston substation, linked by HVAC underground cables.
The project is part of National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade, and it aims to upgrade the existing electricity network between both cities, as the country expects electricity demand to increase by 50% by 2035, and double by 2050.
According to Power Technology (02/11/2026), the connection is planned to have a total capacity of 2 GW, and it is expected to reach completion in 2031.