Construction of the UK’s largest electricity transmission project has started with contractors breaking ground on the £4.3bn Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2).

Electricity superhighway EGL2 is a high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission cable from Peterhead in Scotland to Drax near Selby in North Yorkshire and delivered as a joint venture by National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission.

Construction work has taken a step forward with a symbolic simultaneous ground-breaking ceremony in Scotland and England at either end of the 2GW subsea electricity link.

The project will be the longest HVDC cable in the UK and will be the UK’s single largest electricity transmission project, providing enough electricity to power two million UK homes.

After travelling 436km under the sea from Peterhead, EGL2’s subsea cable will come ashore on the East Yorkshire coast at Fraisthorpe Sands and then run underground for 68km to a new high voltage current (HVDC) converter station at Drax.

Once complete, it will unlock the rich renewable energy capacity of Scotland and significantly increase the UK’s capacity to deliver clean energy for millions of homes.

At peak periods of construction, the project is expected to support hundreds of local jobs in Yorkshire, through supply chain and construction activity.

Representatives from National Grid were joined in Yorkshire by colleagues from specialist HVDC cable supplier, Prysmian, and Hitachi Energy and BAM which are responsible for the supply of converter stations at either end of the project.

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.

Offshore delivery director for National Grid, Zac Richardson, said: “Today marks an important moment for all involved in the project and the commitment of both National Grid and SSEN in delivering major projects that will play a key role in supporting the UK’s transition to a net zero economy.

“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.

“Achieving this first milestone wouldn't have been possible without the huge commitment of the project team, our construction partners, stakeholders and the invaluable feedback from local communities.”

Akshay Kaul, Ofgem director general for infrastructure group, said: “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.

“Harnessing homegrown clean energy will help build a secure energy future for Britain, and projects like EGL2 are pivotal in our move towards that.

"This is the first project to successfully complete our new process and many more major energy projects are going through this fast-track pipeline.

"Our involvement with EGL2 doesn’t end here we stand poised to step in if needed to ensure maximise efficiency and consumer benefit.” 

Wren Hall Converter Station in Drax has seen the start of main construction activities this month, including site establishment and vegetation clearance.

Surveys are expected to continue along the underground cable route in the coming months.

The project is expected to be operational in 2029.