A major milestone has been reached in the development of Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) with the licence for the project’s marine infrastructure in Scottish waters being granted today.
EGL3, a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), will deliver a new high-voltage subsea electricity link between Scotland and England, helping transport clean, secure renewable electricity from the north of Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.
Once complete, EGL3 will form a critical part of Great Britain’s future electricity transmission infrastructure, providing additional network capacity to help alleviate network constraints and meet future electricity demand by enabling the connection of homegrown renewable generation, supporting national energy security and clean power ambitions.
The marine licence covers the installation and operation of EGL3’s subsea cable infrastructure in Scottish waters, including nearshore work where the cable will meet land near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.
The licence follows several years of project development, supported by extensive marine surveys and ecological and environmental assessment work to understand the habitats and species present along the proposed cable route. Extensive engagement has also been undertaken with offshore developers, local communities, fisheries and other stakeholders throughout the development of the project. This work and engagement have helped inform the cable route design and ensure the project can be delivered responsibly, while minimising its impact on the marine environment.
The project team has also worked closely with other developers and asset owners operating in the marine environment to help ensure critical electricity infrastructure can successfully co-exist alongside other offshore developments.
James Johnson, Joint Venture Programme Director at SSEN Transmission, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been granted the marine licence for the Scottish waters section of the subsea cable route on EGL3. This marks a really significant moment for the project and reflects many years of design development and marine survey activities which have underpinned this successful outcome today.
“Developing infrastructure of this scale in the marine environment requires careful planning and collaboration. Throughout the development, we have worked closely with local communities, marine stakeholders and other offshore developers and asset owners, whose feedback has helped shape our plans and minimise potential impacts wherever possible.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has engaged with us and contributed to that process, as well as the project team and our specialist consultants for the considerable work that has gone into reaching this important milestone.
“EGL3 will provide vital additional capacity to transport more of Scotland’s homegrown renewable electricity to where it is needed, helping strengthen Great Britain’s energy security and support the transition to a cleaner, more secure electricity system.
“The project will also bring significant economic growth and jobs, providing opportunities for local people and businesses not only in the north east of Scotland but across the entire project route.
“Securing the Scottish waters marine licence takes us another important step towards the successful delivery of the project, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our stakeholders and project partners as we progress this nationally significant investment.”
EGL3 continues to progress as part of the wider transformation of Great Britain’s electricity network, helping create the capacity needed to connect and transport more renewable electricity and deliver a cleaner, more secure energy system for the future.