What is the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project?

EGL2 is a 2 GW, 525kV subsea HVDC transmission superhighway being co-developed by SSEN Transmission and National Grid. Spanning roughly 505 km from Scotland to North Yorkshire, it is designed to unlock stranded Scottish renewable generation and transport it directly to high-demand centers in England.

Why are community funds standard practice in major offshore transmission projects?

Community funds provide direct financial support to local initiatives in host communities impacted by converter station construction and cable landfall works. These funds help developers secure the social license to operate, reduce local opposition, and ensure host regions derive long-term economic benefits from national infrastructure upgrades.

When is the EGL2 transmission link expected to become operational?

Major construction and site preparation are underway following Ofgem's regulatory green light in 2024. The subsea link is scheduled to achieve full commercial operation by 2029, significantly expanding Britain's north-to-south power transfer capability.

Offshore Energy · May 28, 2026 (May 28) · 1 min read

Eastern Green Link 2 gives back as second round of community fund opens

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

Developers behind the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission project have launched the second funding round of their community benefit initiative. EGL2 represents a critical £4.3 billion subsea cable infrastructure linking Peterhead in Scotland to Drax in England to transport offshore wind generation. Community investment schemes of this nature are becoming an essential component of the social license required to deploy large-scale coastal and subsea power links across the UK and Europe.

Key Facts

The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project has officially opened the second round of applications for its local community benefit fund.
EGL2 is a joint venture between National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and SSEN Transmission.
The overall infrastructure project represents an estimated £4.3 billion investment to build a 2 GW subsea HVDC transmission link.
The 525kV subsea and underground cable will run approximately 505 kilometers from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Drax in North Yorkshire, England.
The community fund specifically targets non-profit initiatives, local infrastructure, and social programs in areas hosting the cable landfall and converter station infrastructure.
Construction activities for the link have commenced following final regulatory approvals by Ofgem in 2024, with full commercial operation slated for 2029.

Background & Context

As the UK accelerates offshore wind development in the North Sea, the existing onshore transmission network has faced severe transmission bottlenecks moving power southward to demand centers. The Eastern Green Link initiative, comprising multiple planned subsea HVDC superhighways, was conceived to bypass onshore grid congestion via the seabed. However, large infrastructure projects face significant local resistance regarding onshore converter stations and cable landfall zones, prompting developers to institutionalize dedicated community benefit funds.

Market Impact

Deploying substantial community funding mechanisms is vital for developers attempting to secure long-term stakeholder alignment and minimize planning disputes during multi-year civil works. For the supply chain, EGL2's ongoing progression demonstrates that major HVDC interconnections are advancing steadily through their execution phases, sustaining demand for specialized cable-laying vessels and converter station engineering. Furthermore, the governance framework established by SSEN Transmission and National Grid sets an operational benchmark for other offshore grid developers across Europe seeking to balance industrial deployment with local community welfare.

What to Watch

Project developers will review the second-round community applications over the coming months while onshore civil engineering and seabed preparation accelerate. Marine survey work and specialized subsea cable manufacturing milestones are expected throughout 2025 and 2026. The industry will closely monitor construction progress ahead of the targeted 2029 energization deadline to evaluate whether the subsea corridor meets Britain's decarbonization grid quotas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project?: EGL2 is a 2 GW, 525kV subsea HVDC transmission superhighway being co-developed by SSEN Transmission and National Grid. Spanning roughly 505 km from Scotland to North Yorkshire, it is designed to unlock stranded Scottish renewable generation and transport it directly to high-demand centers in England.
Why are community funds standard practice in major offshore transmission projects?: Community funds provide direct financial support to local initiatives in host communities impacted by converter station construction and cable landfall works. These funds help developers secure the social license to operate, reduce local opposition, and ensure host regions derive long-term economic benefits from national infrastructure upgrades.
When is the EGL2 transmission link expected to become operational?: Major construction and site preparation are underway following Ofgem's regulatory green light in 2024. The subsea link is scheduled to achieve full commercial operation by 2029, significantly expanding Britain's north-to-south power transfer capability.

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