National Grid shares proposals for green electricity projects in Lincolnshire and West Norfolk, needed to boost home-grown energy supplies and progress towards net zero

The eight-week initial consultation, which begins on 23 April, shares proposals for Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4) projects – two new, primarily subsea high voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity links, with associated infrastructure, between Scotland and England.

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is jointly developing EGL 3 with SSEN Transmission (SSEN) and EGL 4 with SP Energy Networks (SPEN). 

EGL 3 would run from Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, under the North Sea via marine cables to a potential landfall location on the Lincolnshire coastline, either at Theddlethorpe or Anderby Creek. EGL 4 would run from Westfield, Fife, also via marine cables under the North Sea to the same landfall location as EGL 3. 

After making landfall, both projects’ cables will run underground for approximately 100km to two proposed converter stations in the Walpole, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk area. Underground cables would then connect the converter stations to the transmission network via a new proposed substation, also within the Walpole area. 

EGL 3 and EGL 4 are needed as the existing transmission network does not have enough capacity to securely and reliably transport the increasing amount of energy generated in Scotland, particularly from offshore wind.  The links would transport enough clean energy from Scotland to power up to four million homes in the Midlands and the South of England, playing an important role in building a more secure and resilient future energy system.

Consulting on both projects together gives local communities the opportunity to see how proposed electricity infrastructure in the region can be linked together, and the potential opportunities for co-locating elements of each project, both buildings and underground cables.

EGL 3 and EGL 4 are both separate to the Grimsby to Walpole project, which is a proposal for 90 miles of new onshore electricity transmission line needed to reinforce the electricity grid and connect a number of onshore generation projects as well as subsea cable links, interconnectors, and two offshore wind farms.

James Goode, Project Director for National Grid, commented: “Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4 are a critical part of the new electricity infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero. Harnessing the full potential of Britain’s clean energy resources will enable us to be less dependent on global fossil fuels and will play a critical role in supporting the nation’s future security of supply.

“We look forward to hearing views from members of the public and we welcome feedback on our initial proposals.”
 

Consultation events

Throughout our initial consultation, we are holding a series of face-to-face events to consult on the electrical infrastructure required in England.

Our consultation events are being held across the project area. Information about our proposals will be on display and copies of maps and technical documents will be available to view. Members of the project team will be available to talk through our proposals and answer any questions.

Project webinars

We will also be holding a number of project webinars, again to talk through our proposals and answer any questions.

To register for a webinar or for any questions or information, members of the public can email [email protected] or call the community relations team on 0800 298 0405. 
 

Local information points

Paper copies of our Project Background Document, Consultation Newsletter and Feedback Form are all available to collect from the below locations. Reference-only copies of the Corridor Preliminary Routeing and Siting Study (CPRSS) and Strategic Option Report (SOR) will also be available to view, at the below locations. 

Local information point opening hours can be subject to change. Please check with the relevant venue for its most up to date opening hours. 

The project webpage can also be accessed at www.nationalgrid.com/egl3andegl4, which will be updated with consultation information from 12pm on 23 April 2024.