Great Britain’s energy regulator, Ofgem, has approved a £3.4bn low-carbon electricity “superhighway” project that will carry renewable power from north-east Scotland to the north of England. The Eastern Green Link subsea power cable, developed by SSE and National Grid, will transmit enough electricity from Scotland’s wind farms to power 2 million homes in England. Work is set to begin later this year with power transmission expected by 2029. Another project led by Scottish Power and National Grid is also awaiting approval.
This project, the largest investment in Great Britain’s electricity grid, is part of Ofgem’s plan to fast-track 26 energy grid projects to accommodate the UK’s increasing number of offshore wind farms. The aim is to upgrade the energy system and achieve a net zero electricity system by 2030. Ofgem’s chief executive, Jonathan Brearley, emphasized that financial adjustments will be made to maximize efficiency and consumer benefit.
While these plans are crucial for meeting legal climate goals, concerns have been raised in rural communities regarding the impact of new transmission projects on the countryside. Most of the Eastern Green Link cable will run under the seabed along the east coast, connecting Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to North Yorkshire’s Drax power station, with only 44 miles onshore. The cabling will be buried and connect to converter stations at either end to deliver electricity to homes and businesses in Yorkshire.
The approval of this project marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable energy future for Great Britain.
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