National Grid is undertaking further consultation on changes to its proposals for reinforcing the network between Suffolk and Kent
- Sea Link is a new electricity reinforcement needed by 2030 to carry renewable and low-carbon power to homes and businesses.
- Proposals would help UK to achieve net zero on carbon emissions by 2050.
- National Grid is updating communities following the end of the statutory consultation which took place in 2023.
National Grid is sharing its latest update on proposals for Sea Link, a new electricity infrastructure project between Suffolk and Kent. Sea Link is needed to carry renewable and low-carbon power from offshore wind, interconnectors, and nuclear power to where it's needed.
The proposals include a new, primarily offshore, 138 km cable connection from Pegwell Bay in Kent to a point on the Suffolk Coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Plans include the onshore infrastructure needed at either end, such as onshore cables, converter stations and substations, and overhead line connections to connect the power into the existing network so it can be transported to homes and businesses around the country.
National Grid’s statutory consultation in 2023 was an opportunity for local communities to see how the plans had developed following the first public consultation and to provide further feedback on the proposals. Since then, a number of changes have been made across different elements of the proposals such as confirming preferred access routes, construction methods and compounds, refining the cable route corridor and more. National Grid is sharing these changes with communities before submitting an application for development consent to the Planning Inspectorate early next year.
Members of the public can provide feedback on the changes, or on the proposals more generally, by writing to the team between 8 July and 11 August 2024.
Adrian Pierssene, Project Director for Sea Link, commented: “This reinforcement between Suffolk and Kent is essential in the UK’s journey to net zero by 2050 and is part of a wider programme to upgrade the entire network. We look forward to sharing the latest update on Sea Link with members of the public before we prepare our application for development consent.”
Members of the public can learn about the changes in the following ways:
Read the Project update document.
It is available online at www.nationalgrid.com/sealink or at the below locations between Monday 8 July and Monday 11 August:
| Saxmundham Library, Block B, Street Farm Rd, Saxmundham IP17 1AL |
| Leiston Library, Main St, Leiston IP16 4ER |
| Aldeburgh Library, Victoria Rd, Aldeburgh IP15 5EG |
| Snape Village Hall, 5 Garrett Cl, Snape, Saxmundham IP17 1RN |
| Friston Village Hall, Church Rd, Friston, Saxmundham IP17 1PU |
| Ash Library, 11 Queen's Rd, Ash, Canterbury CT3 2BG |
| Minster Library, 4a Monkton Rd, Minster, Ramsgate CT12 4EA |
| Sandwich Library, 13 Market St, Sandwich CT13 9DA |
| Ramsgate Library, Guildford Lawn, Ramsgate CT11 9AY |
| Newington Library, Royal Harbour Academy, Stirling Way, Ramsgate CT12 6FA |
| Thanet Library, Thanet Gateway Plus, Cecil Street, CT9 1A |
| Margate Library, Cecil Street, Margate, CT9 1RE |
Contact the venue directly for opening hours.
Attend a webinar.
A pre-recorded webinar is available on the project website. The following table shows when the online webinars are taking place. For more information and to sign up, visit nationalgrid.com/sealink.
Suffolk |
| Kent |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Date | Time | Date | Time |
| Monday 15 July 2024 | 6:30pm-7:45pm | Tuesday 16 July 2024 | 6:30pm-7:45pm |
| Wednesday 17 July 2024 | 6:30pm-7:45pm | Monday 22 July 2024 | 6:30pm-7:45pm |
Providing feedback
Members of the public can share views on the latest changes to Sea Link, or on the proposals more generally, in the following ways:
- Email us: [email protected]
- Write to us: FREEPOST Sea Link
The deadline for feedback is 11 August 2024.
To find out more, visit our website at nationalgrid.com/sealink, email [email protected] or call us on 0808 134 9569.
