Yorkshire set to play crucial role in helping the UK meet green energy ambitions

National Grid is set to hold a digital exhibition and run virtual consultations on a proposal for a new energy link that will run from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire. Named the Scotland to England Green Link 2 (SEGL2), it will play an important part in helping the country achieve its net-zero energy commitments.

The online exhibition, held on the project’s dedicated website, will open on Monday 29 March and will run for four weeks, until Friday 23 April. Attendees will be able to learn about the proposed project in detail, share feedback and participate in live Q&A sessions and video drop-in calls.

National Grid will host three live chat Q&A sessions on the project website. These will take place on:

• Tuesday 30 March 16:00 – 20:00
• Wednesday 31 March 08:00 – 12:00
• Thursday 1 April 13:00 – 16:00

During the third and fourth weeks of the consultation period, National Grid will also host live video drop-in sessions where attendees can hear from members of the project team. Information about these sessions, including instructions on how to register to attend, will be available on the project’s website after the consultation period has begun.

Neil Lyons, National Grid’s SEGL Project Director, said: “Consultation feedback is important to us and plays a significant part in influencing our plans. It helps us to understand what different stakeholders, community groups, landowners and organisations feel is most important and how we can improve our proposals. We encourage everyone to get involved in our consultation process, it is the best way to share your views and let us know what you think about our proposals.”

Delivering cleaner, greener energy
The UK is already a world-leader in wind energy and has a target to become net-zero in all greenhouse gases by 2050 for England and Wales and 2045 for Scotland. The Government’s net-zero targets mean that as the country moves away from traditional forms of fuel to heat homes, charge vehicles and power business, there will be a greater need for green electricity.

To accomplish these goals, National Grid must increase the capability of the network between Scotland, with its many renewable energy sources, and the rest of the UK.

When complete, SEGL2 will help deliver greener energy to homes and businesses throughout the UK, supporting the Government’s aim for every home in the country to be powered by offshore wind by the end of the decade.

Neil Lyons, National Grid’s SEGL Project Director, added: “Yorkshire’s coalfields once provided the energy that powered Britain and the area continues to be at the heart of the UK’s energy industry. With the development of SEGL2, the area will continue to play a crucial role, bringing cleaner, greener energy to Britain’s homes and businesses.”

About SEGL2

National Grid is working with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to jointly develop a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link between Scotland and England.  The Scotland to England Green Link 2 (SEGL2), will run from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire.

SEGL2 will bring renewable energy from Scotland, under the North Sea, before coming on land just south of Bridlington at Wilsthorpe, East Yorkshire.  The link will then run underground for around 65km and connect to the national grid at Drax.  SEGL2 will provide extra network capability and strengthen the transmission network from northern Scotland to Yorkshire in England.

Drax was identified as the most appropriate location to connect SEGL2 to the existing network because that provides the network capability needed to deliver cleaner greener energy on to the rest of the country in the most optimum way. Many factors are very carefully considered including, balancing cost, benefit to the network and minimising infrastructure and impacts on people, places and the environment.

National Grid will be applying for planning permission in 2022. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2024 and complete in 2029.

To learn more visit the SEGL2 website and register to receive updates.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

For media information please contact:

Helen Blake, Press Officer 
07790 824788
[email protected]

SEGL1

National Grid is working with Scottish Power Transmission (SPT) on proposals for an additional HVDC link, Scotland to England Green Link 1 (SEGL1).  This proposed link will also bring renewable energy under the North Sea, from the Torness area in East Lothian, to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham. After coming on land just north of Seaham in County Durham, the link will run underground for around 9km to a converter station at Hawthorn Pit. If approved, construction is expected to begin in 2023 and complete in 2027.

Connecting SEGL1 from Torness to the existing network at Hawthorn Pit, along with a further reinforcement of the network in Yorkshire (Yorkshire GREEN), will deliver the initial network capability needed across the Anglo-Scottish border in the most optimum way, balancing cost, benefit to the network and minimising infrastructure and impacts on people, places and the environment.

To learn more visit the SEGL1 website.

Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks involvement

National Grid Electricity Transmission plc (‘National Grid’) as the Transmission Owner for England and Wales, is working together with its two Scottish counterparts to develop the proposed links. SEGL1 is being jointly developed by Scottish Power Transmission and National Grid. SEGL2 is being jointly developed by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission and National Grid.

SEGL1 and SEGL2 are also referred to as the Eastern HVDC Links.