Eastern Green Link 5: Consultation Opens on UK’s Next Major Subsea HVDC Project
Eastern Green Link 5 (EGL5), the latest in a series of high-capacity HVDC interconnectors between Scotland and England, has entered its first phase of public consultation. The project, jointly developed by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission), will play a critical role in transporting renewable energy—particularly from Scottish offshore wind—to homes and businesses in the Midlands and South of England.
Project Overview and Route
EGL5 is a primarily offshore HVDC link designed to carry up to 2 GW of electricity at 525 kV. The subsea cable will run from Scotland, making landfall at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coast. From there, approximately 9 km of underground HVDC cable will connect the landfall point to a new converter station, proposed for a site either north-east of Bilsby or north-west of Huttoft in East Lindsey. The converter station will then connect to the wider transmission network via a 3 km underground HVAC cable to the planned Lincolnshire Connection Substation-B (LCS-B), part of National Grid’s separate Grimsby to Walpole project.
Key Role in the Great Grid Upgrade
EGL5 is a flagship project within the UK’s “Great Grid Upgrade,” a nationwide effort to future-proof the transmission system for a decarbonized, affordable energy future. The link is expected to transport enough clean energy to power up to two million homes, helping alleviate north-south transmission constraints and supporting the integration of 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Planning and Consultation Process
The project is currently in its early development phase, with a stage 1 (non-statutory) consultation open until June 23, 2025. This consultation seeks feedback on the proposed siting of the onshore converter station, cable routes, and landfall location. Local communities, landowners, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate, with information events and online webinars being held throughout the consultation period1.
EGL5’s English onshore and marine elements will require a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate, with a direction requested from the Secretary of State under the Planning Act 2008. SSEN Transmission will seek the relevant consents for the Scottish and Scottish marine sections of the project.
Next Steps
Feedback from this initial consultation will inform the development of more detailed proposals, which will be subject to a statutory consultation in 2026. The project team emphasizes the importance of local knowledge in shaping the final design and minimizing impacts.
EGL5 stands as a critical link in the UK’s transition to a secure, resilient, and low-carbon energy system, exemplifying the scale of investment and cross-border cooperation required to meet net zero targets.
For more information on EGL5 and to participate in the consultation, visit National Grid’s project website.
