Construction has commenced on the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2), a £4.3 billion electricity transmission project connecting Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in Yorkshire.

The 2GW subsea cable, spanning over 500 kilometers, will be the UK’s largest electricity transmission project to date. Delivered by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), EGL2 will provide enough clean energy to power approximately two million homes.

The project received final approval from Ofgem, which accelerated the process to enable an earlier start to construction. EGL2 is expected to be fully operational by 2029.

Chair of SSEN Transmission’s Board Gregor Alexander said: “EGL2 will play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also generate jobs and provide a legacy to local communities here in the north-east of Scotland, where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives.”

Akshay Kaul, Ofgem Director General for Infrastructure Group, stated: “Today is a historic occasion. Not only is construction starting on EGL2, Britain’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, but we’re also standing here two years earlier than we might have been thanks to Ofgem’s fast track new process which cuts red tape to get consumers across the country connected to renewable energy more quickly.”

Offshore Delivery Director for National Grid Zac Richardson commented: “EGL2 is the first of four currently proposed 2GW projects between Scotland and England to begin construction and in total these projects, delivered in partnership by National Grid, could provide enough renewable electricity to power eight million homes.”

The construction of EGL2 marks a significant step forward in the UK’s efforts to transition to a clean energy future. The project will play a vital role in enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.