National Grid announced that Eastern Green Link 1 Ltd — which is creating a subsea transmission cable from Torness in East Lothian to County Durham in England — has awarded £1.8 billion of contracts to deliver the “UK’s first high-capacity east coast cable project.”

Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1), a joint venture between National Grid Electricity Transmission and SP Transmission, part of SP Energy Networks, will see the creation of a 525kV, 2GW HVDC subsea transmission cable from Torness to Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, enabling the transmission of renewable green energy to power more than two million homes.

EGL1 has awarded Italy’s Prysmian Group, the world’s largest cable maker, a £750 million contract to deliver the UK’s first 525kV HVDC electricity transmission cable.

Greece’s Mytilineos Energy & Metals and the UK-based Grid Solutions business of Massachusetts firm GE Vernova have also been awarded a £1 billion contract to supply and construct two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the link.

“The UK is transforming the electricity grid – the largest overhaul in generations to help deliver a cleaner, greener and more secure energy system for the future,” said National Grid.

“This means multi-billion investments in new electricity transmission projects across the country.

“This upgrade, which will help move more clean energy from where it is generated to where it is needed and play a major role in the UK moving towards its net zero target, includes six subsea links between Scotland and England of which this joint project is the first.

“EGL1 is a major economic win for the UK as a whole and a boost for the supply chain with significant works and components to be provided by UK based manufacturing, engineering and construction industries.

“Staffordshire based GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business will be providing HVDC valves and control systems, as well as HVDC transformers, supporting the commitments and investments being made in their facilities and new jobs to support the growth in this industry.

“EGL1 is a key part of the new network infrastructure required for the UK to reach net zero and will play a critical role in supporting the nation’s future security of supply, reducing dependence on and price exposure to volatile global wholesale gas markets.

“National Grid’s research has also found that there will be an estimated 400,000 job opportunities for a net zero energy workforce by 2050, including around 150,000 jobs anticipated in Scotland and the North of England.”

EGL1’s Project Director Peter Roper said: “EGL1 is a transformative project for the UK, enhancing security of supply and helping to connect and transport green power for all customers.

“These contract announcements are big wins for the supply chain and another important milestone as we build the new network infrastructure to help the UK meet its net zero and energy security ambitions.

“We look forward to working in collaboration with Prysmian, GE Vernova and Mytilineos as the project continues to progress.”