UK – The electricity market regulator Ofgem has granted the consortium formed by Iberdrola, through its subsidiary ScottishPower Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), provisional approval to build the 2 GW power line linking Scotland to the north-east of England.

It is one of two 2 GW submarine cables that make up the Eastern Link project, which includes another cable of the same nature and capacity being developed by the consortium between the electricity utility SSE and National Grid.

The Eastern Link will connect Scotland and England via two high-voltage submarine cables, with a combined capacity of up to 4 GW.

According to Ofgem, this new transmission infrastructure is needed to improve the capacity of the interconnection network between Scotland and England and enable renewable energy produced in Scotland to reach the country's most energy-intensive regions. 

At an estimated investment of £3.4 billion ($4.5 billion) for the two links, Eastern Link would be the largest electricity transmission investment project in Britain's recent history, Iberdrola said in a press release.

The combined capacity of the two cables is expected to carry enough electricity to meet the demand of around four million UK homes. The Iberdrola and National Grid project will run between Torness (Scotland) and Hawthorn Pit (England), while the SSE and NGET project will link Peterhead (Scotland) and Selby (England).

Ofgem has stated that progress on interconnections, essential to the UK's energy transition, represents a clear benefit for consumers. Ofgem's decision should also accelerate investment in renewable energy sources, essential for decarbonisation and the country's energy independence.

Scotland's offshore wind capacity is expected to increase significantly over the next decade. This should ensure that the large volume of energy expected to be generated can be delivered to where it is needed. The country’s east coast is already home to operational offshore wind farms with a capacity of 1 GW and has a further 4.4 GW in the pipeline. In addition, a further 10 GW is planned following the outcome of Scotland's next offshore wind bidding round, ScotWind.

Source: Iberdrola