National Grid and SSEN Transmission have celebrated the start of main construction on either end of a 2GW subsea electricity link, Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) in the UK. 

EGL2, worth £4.3bn ($4.79bn), is a HV DC subsea transmission cable. 

It is being delivered as a joint venture by National Grid Electricity Transmission and SSEN Transmission. 

First ceremonial spadefuls of earth were taken at events held in Peterhead, as well as Wren Hall in Drax, North Yorkshire. 

Spanning 436km from Peterhead to the East Yorkshire coast at Fraisthorpe Sands, EGL2's subsea cable will then run underground for 68km to a new HV DC converter station at Drax.  

Upon completion, the project aims to harness Scotland's renewable energy capacity, boosting the UK's clean energy delivery for approximately two million homes. 

The construction phase is anticipated to support local jobs in Yorkshire at its peak via supply chain and construction activities.  

At the Wren Hall Converter Station in Drax, main construction activities have already begun this month, including site establishment and vegetation clearance.  

Further surveys along the underground cable route are expected to continue in the upcoming months, with the project set to become operational in 2029. 

National Grid offshore delivery director 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.” 

Last year, GE Vernova's Grid Solutions business and Mytilineos Energy & Metals were jointly awarded a £1bn contract to support the construction of the east coast subsea link.  

The contract was awarded by National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Transmission, part of SP Energy Networks.