Eastern Green Link 1 Seaham Meet the Buyer event hailed a huge success
- Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) welcomed more than 70 local businesses to learn about the project’s supply chain opportunities at a Meet the Buyer event.
- Attendees included safety and logistical experts, security and distribution firms, archaeological specialists, and training providers.
- EGL1 is a two gigawatt (GW) high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical superhighway to be built between East Lothian, Scotland, and County Durham, England, via the North Sea, which if given final project assessment approval by Ofgem will transport enough electricity for two million homes.
Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) recently welcomed more than 70 local businesses to learn about the project’s supply chain opportunities at a Meet the Buyer event in County Durham.
The drop-in event, which took place at Seaham Hall, connected potential suppliers from across the Seaham area, County Durham and the North East with EGL1’s main works contractors Metlen, Murphy Group, GE Vernova and Prysmian.
EGL1 is a two-gigawatt high voltage direct current electrical superhighway to be built between the Torness area in East Lothian and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, via the North Sea. It is designed to transport enough electricity for two million homes.
In total, 74 local business representatives, covering a diverse range of skillsets, met with each contractor. From safety and logistical experts, security and distribution firms, to archaeological specialists and training providers, the range of services and expertise showcased the breadth of sectors operating within the region.
Matthew Barton, Eastern Green Link 1 Project Director, said: “Our Meet the Buyer event was an outstanding success. It forms an important part of our project’s initiative to use local suppliers where possible, creating employment opportunities and establishing shorter supply chains to boost sustainability.
"The event really showcased the impressive range of local expertise available to our project from businesses based across County Durham and the North East. We want to thank everyone who attended the event and look forward to seeing them help deliver this exciting project.”
In County Durham, early work on EGL1 has commenced to develop a converter station, substation and underground cabling. If given final project assessment approval by Ofgem, the main works are expected to start in late 2024/early 2025, with the project expected to be operational in 2029.
For more information, please see easterngreenlink1.co.uk.
