The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project – a 505km 2GW subsea cable that will run from Aberdeenshire to Yorkshire – has officially opened a new visitor hub in Peterhead, marking the next milestone in the delivery of the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, designed to alleviate grid constraint and deliver Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power targets.
The new visitor facility will serve as a dedicated hub for community engagement, education, and project information sharing throughout the construction of the development.
Located near the project’s converter station site, the facility provides groups, schools, and other local stakeholders with opportunities to learn more about the project’s role in supporting the connection of renewable energy and enhancing the resilience of the national electricity grid.
A joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid – EGL2 will see the installation of a 2GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cable between Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and Drax in North Yorkshire. Once complete, the link will have the capacity to transmit enough clean electricity to power more than two million homes, significantly reducing constraints on renewable generation in the north of Scotland.
The visitor hub will act as a focal point for ongoing consultation, allowing the public to access up-to-date information on construction progress, environmental measures, and community investment initiatives.
The hub features interactive educational activities and exhibitions, including VR headsets, a ‘keeping the lights on’ game, a hand-operated generator, information screens, a section of marine cable, an interactive map, an animated walkthrough and a LEGO model of the converter station too.
Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and discover how EGL2 will help power two million homes and businesses with clean energy.
The hub opening follows on from the EGL2 project making the first awards from its Peterhead Community Benefit Fund – donating more than £420,000 to local initiatives, with over £1.5m of further awards to be made.
At a small ceremony in Peterhead on Friday 7 November, Jim Buchan, Chair of the community fund, cut the ribbon and welcomed visitors into the hub for the first time – joined by key members of the EGL2 project team and some local secondary school children from Peterhead Academy, who were the first to take in the various exhibits on show.
And at the same time in Yorkshire, a matching Visitor Hub was opened at the Wren Hall convertor station site – creating spaces at both ends of the link for people to find out about the subsea electricity superhighway.
Fionán Doonan, the EGL2 Project Director, said:
“The opening of the Peterhead Visitor Hub represents a key step in our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and community engagement. EGL2 is a vital component of the UK’s future energy system, and we’re proud to provide a space where people can learn more about how this project will deliver long-term benefits both locally and nationally.
“Over the past year, since construction began, we’ve been delighted to play an active role in the local community through initiatives like beach cleans and participation in events like SeaFest, strengthening our connection with the people and places at the heart of this project.
“Opening the visitor hub today is the next step – and we look forward to welcoming visitors soon.”
Jim Buchan, Chair of the EGL2 Peterhead Community Benefit Fund, said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to see the Visitor Hub open its doors. This new facility is a fantastic asset for the community — giving schools, community groups and other local stakeholders the opportunity to engage and learn all about this important infrastructure project as it takes shape.
“Through the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, we’ve already seen SSEN Transmission’s commitment to our area in action, with over £420,000 awarded to date, making a real difference to local communities.”
Gerry McCluskey, Head Teacher at Peterhead Academy, said:
“Peterhead Academy are delighted to be given the opportunity to work so closely with our learning partners at SSEN Transmission as the EGL2 project progresses. The new visitor hub was a fantastic venue to host one of our career insight sessions at the start of term and really brought to life the careers available to our young people with SSEN Transmission and their partners on EGL2, now and in the near future.
“The pupils and I were honoured to be invited along to attend the official opening on the new visitor hub and look forward to making more use of it to enhance and contextualise the learning experiences we deliver in school going forward.”
The facility at Peterhead will provide opportunities for group visits, educational sessions, and events highlighting key aspects of engineering, sustainability, and the regional economic impact of EGL2.