Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) marine power line

The Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) External link, opens in new window. project involves the construction of a major high-voltage electricity transmission cable that will run mainly along the seabed. Our subsidiary ScottishPower Energy Networks (responsible for the electricity transmission network in central and southern Scotland) is developing the project in a consortium with National Grid Electricity Transmission (which is responsible for the network in England). This “electricity superhighway” will connect Torness, in south-east Scotland, with Hawthorn Pit, in north-east England, along a route of almost 196 kilometres.

Its main aim is to channel the large amounts of renewable energy generated in Scotland and efficiently transport it to major consumption centres in England, helping to drive the electrification of the economy. With a transmission capacity of 2 GW, EGL1 will be able to supply clean electricity equivalent to the consumption of around two million homes. Following the start of onshore and offshore construction work in 2025, the project is progressing as planned and is expected to become operational in 2029.

Boosting electrification and jobs in the UK

The UK is undertaking the most ambitious modernisation of its electricity grids in recent decades. Building new high-capacity electricity transmission routes is essential to achieving a cleaner, more secure system that is less dependent on fossil fuels. EGL1 acts as a genuine energy “bypass” that eases congestion on the onshore grid and ensures that Scotland’s wind power potential is fully harnessed. The region already has more than 1 GW of offshore wind capacity in operation, with several additional gigawatts under development.

In addition to its environmental benefits, the project represents a major socio-economic driver, backed by an investment of £2.5 billion:

• Supply chain and employment: It will support the creation of hundreds of green jobs during construction and operation, while boosting the UK industrial sector through the supply of high-tech equipment and components by the companies awarded contracts.

• Direct impact on host communities: It has an £8 million community fund approved by the regulator Ofgem to support local, economic and environmental development initiatives in the East Lothian and County Durham areas.

Cutting-edge technology and proven expertise in subsea interconnection

To transmit large volumes of electricity across the sea while minimising energy losses, EGL1 will use 525 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology:

• Electricity cable: Almost 400 kilometres of high-voltage subsea cable (awarded to the Prysmian Group for £750 million), which will be buried and protected along the seabed.

• Converter stations: Two major facilities located at either end of the link (Torness and Hawthorn Pit), awarded to the alliance between GE Vernova and METLEN Energy & Metals for £1 billion. They will convert alternating current into direct current for the subsea journey and back into alternating current upon arrival at its destination.

A successful precedent: the Western Link project

Together, SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission already own and operate the Western Link, the world's highest-capacity subsea electricity cable and one of the longest, connecting Hunterston (Scotland) with Connah’s Quay (Wales). Operational since 2017, this link supported more than 450 jobs during its planning and development and transmitted over 30,000 GWh of electricity in its first five years of operation, enough to supply every home in Wales over the same period.

Iberdrola, a world leader in smart grids

Smart grids are essential for the support of the electrification of the economy and to ensure that renewable energy reaches consumers safely and efficiently. At Iberdrola, we operate one of the world’s most important distribution systems and continue to work on its modernisation, digitalisation and automation. For this reason, the Networks business is now a core part of our Strategic Plan, with an investment of €37 billion planned for 2028 across distribution and transmission.