Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), a subsea link said to be the largest electricity transmission project ever in the UK and the longest high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable in the country, has entered the main construction phase, with detailed marine engineering surveys along the subsea cable laying route and a geotechnical survey completed.
Developed by a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission, EGL2 It involves the installation of a 2 GW HVDC subsea cable linking Peterhead in Scotland to Drakes in Yorkshire. Project construction Started in September 2024The link is expected to be completed in 2029.
The project has reached several major milestones across the onshore cable route in recent months with Italian company Prysmian completing construction of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) site in Scotland. Drilling operations began in May on both HDD crossings, and pilot holes have now been completed. The project is progressing towards the expansion phase, which will see wells prepared for cable installation.
Offshore construction is mobilizing from Peterhead Harbour, with operations commencing at Sandford Bay at the end of June. The works will prepare the seabed to facilitate penetration of HDD wells into pre-dug trenches, enabling the subsequent installation of steel conduits that will connect onshore and offshore cable systems.
In North and East Yorkshire, the road is being prepared for the installation of major infrastructure. Prior to the cable installation work, engineers completed a detailed ground investigation to ensure the long-term stability, performance and sustainability of the cable system, Prysmian said.
To date, Prysmian and its contractors have completed more than 16 kilometers of portage roads installed alongside access points at the mouth of the bell, 12 kilometers of drainage, 1.5 kilometers of trench excavation, four horizontal directional pits, and one archaeological test trench excavation.
As for marine activity, detailed marine engineering surveys are taking place along the submarine cable laying route, with the geotechnical survey completed and the geophysical survey continuing. The sea crossing survey is scheduled to be completed by the end of July.
The next major milestone will be preparing the landing site in England ahead of the HDD works that will connect the onshore and offshore sections of the project.
“Eastern Green Link 2 is a powerful example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision. The scale and complexity of this project requires close collaboration across our teams, delivery partners, supply chain and stakeholders,” He said Giuseppe CardamoneEGL2 project manager at Prysmian.
“Every achievement achieved is the result of this collective effort, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to safety, engineering excellence and responsible delivery. Together, we are building infrastructure that will support the UK’s transition to a cleaner, safer energy system and deliver lasting benefits for generations to come.”
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