The Eastern Link will run the one of the world’s longest subsea HVDC cables, running for more than 270 miles along the East Coast of Scotland to Selby and Hawthorn Point in the north of England. It is expected to have a combined total capacity of up to 4GW. National Grid UK Executive Director said: “This project will help transport enough renewable energy for around 4.5 million homes”.
The project is expected to deliver “hundreds of green jobs” across construction and operation, with the work expected to begin in 2024.
The three energy firms were announced on Monday as principal partners for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), taking place in Glasgow next November.
With the East Coast of Scotland already being home to 1GW of operational wind power, with a further 4.4GW pipelined and up to 10GW predicted following from the ScotWind leasing round; This project further demonstrates there focus in investing in low-carbon assets and infrastructure as part of the UK’s drive for a decarbonised economy by 2050.
The trio stated that the Eastern Link will play a “vital role” in achieving this goal, placing the North Sea as a Green Energy power house in Europe.
Alistair Phillips-Davies, the Chief Executive of SSE, said the project was “one of the most exciting energy developments over recent decades”.
“With the eyes on the UK ahead of COP26 next year, this project clearly demonstrates how the UK is leading the world in tackling the climate emergency and supporting thousands of jobs and supply chain opportunities”.
