- Eastern Link – a £3.4bn underwater super-highway project – has taken another step forward
- Ofgem has recognised the benefits the first two East Coast HVDC links would bring to UK consumers
- SP Energy Networks, together with National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) are working on plans to deliver the Torness to Hawthorn Pit Link whilst SSEN Transmission and NGET progress with plans for the Peterhead to Selby Link.
- Announced as the UK hosts of COP26, SP Energy Networks welcomes Ofgem’s recognition of the investment required to deliver a project that will prove critical to achieving Net Zero
SP Energy Network’s welcomes Ofgem’s decision on the initial proposals for the first two HVDC links for the UK’s East Coast, known as the Eastern Link project.
Published at the end of last week, Ofgem has stated there is a clear benefit to consumers by progressing with plans for the links, recognising the crucial role they play in supporting the much-needed growth of renewables and supporting delivery of net zero.
The multi-billion-pound project would significantly increase the UK’s capacity for renewable power and be capable of transmitting enough electricity across the two links for around four million homes.
Frank Mitchell, CEO of SP Energy Networks said: “Glasgow is currently hosting one of the most important climate summits in recent history – COP26. At the heart of this is how we can accelerate climate action, achieved through innovation and investment in projects like Eastern Link.
“Whilst this latest response from Ofgem marks a positive step forward for one of the largest transmission investment projects in recent history, further clarity on the future delivery of the project and the approval of the final needs case will still need to be provided to ensure we can progress this critical project of national importance.
“Renewable electricity plays a key role in tackling climate change, providing the zero-carbon electricity to fuel everyday life. The Eastern Link project will not only support hundreds of green jobs but also provide part of the essential infrastructure needed to meet the UK’s offshore wind target by 2030 and its Net Zero ambitions by 2045 in Scotland.”
The final decision is expected in 2022.