Eastern Green Link 4 confirms £3bn supply chain boost to support UK jobs, energy security and reduce constraint costs
Britain’s next subsea electrical highway has confirmed £3bn of major supply chain contracts, marking a significant step forward in delivering critical energy infrastructure while supporting economic growth, UK energy security and reducing grid constraint costs.
A contract has been awarded to Siemens Energy to provide the high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations for Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4), following the earlier confirmation of a £2bn contract with Prysmian to supply the subsea and underground electricity cables.
The link, a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission is one of five subsea links being developed along the east coast of Britain. Together, these projects will strengthen the resilience of the electricity network, reduce grid constraints and enable greater volumes of renewable energy to flow efficiently between Scotland and England to millions of homes, strengthening UK energy security.
As part of a new era of investment in electricity network infrastructure, projects like EGL4, are supporting a multi-billion-pound supply chain, which is creating skilled jobs and industrial opportunities in emerging energy sectors, contributing to economic growth and building long-term skills capability in the UK, critical to the energy transition.
The Siemens Energy contract includes two converter stations, one in Fife in Scotland and one in Norfolk in England. The converter stations change alternating current into direct current, the most efficient way for high voltage electricity to travel across large distances. Once converted, the electricity will travel around 640km, primarily undersea, before being converted back again to join the onshore transmission network.
By increasing capacity and reducing congestion on the grid, the 2GW EGL4 subsea link, will help minimise constraint costs by accelerating the integration of cleaner sources of energy into the system, supporting the UK’s ever-increasing demand for energy.
James Goode, Project Director of Eastern Green Link 4, said: “Confirming £3 billion of contract awards demonstrates the scale and momentum behind Eastern Green Link 4 as we move into delivery. By bringing together the proven expertise of Siemens Energy and Prysmian, we’re building a highly capable UK supply chain to deliver this complex electricity infrastructure project.
“These agreements not only give us the confidence to progress at pace but also highlight how investment in network infrastructure can and will support UK economic growth, strengthen domestic capability and unlock the capacity needed to transport renewable energy efficiently, supporting both UK energy security and a cleaner energy system.”
Iain Adams, Deputy Project Director of Eastern Green Link 4, said: “Securing the international expertise of Siemens Energy and Prysmian to help us deliver this vital electricity connection is a real project milestone.
“These are the first of many more UK contracts to come for Eastern Green Link 4 which will increase grid capacity between Scotland and England, transporting clean power across the country and reducing constraints.”
Darren Davidson, UK Vice President for Siemens Energy, said:
“Eastern Green Link 4 is a critical project for strengthening the UK’s electricity network and enabling more renewable power to flow between Scotland and England. Working with our partners, at SP Energy Networks, National Grid Electricity Transmission and Prysmian, we’re investing in the supply chain to deliver this nationally significant HVDC infrastructure.
“With more than 7,000 people employed by Siemens Energy across the UK, including at our centre of excellence in Manchester, this project highlights how investment in grid infrastructure supports skilled jobs, energy security and the UK’s long-term transition to a more resilient energy system.”
David Worthington, Business Director, UK & North Europe for Prysmian, said: “Prysmian is committed to developing skills and jobs in the UK with over 100 years of manufacturing and 1,200 employees across the country. Projects such as EGL4 help strengthen our capability to deliver major offshore and onshore cable connections by driving investment and scaling operations to enable British energy security.
“Our Port of Middlesbrough marine base is a vital part of our submarine cable operations. We work with more than 100 UK suppliers, more than 40% based in the North East, and the expertise of our Middlesbrough team is critical to delivering secure, high-performing energy infrastructure for the UK.”
Subject to planning consent, Eastern Green Link 4 is expected to enter main construction in 2028 and is scheduled to be complete in 2033.
Together, SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission are also building the Eastern Green Link 1 project, expected to be complete in 2029.
Pictured at the contract signing from left to right are Marco de Donna, Nicola Connelly, Zac Richardson and Darren Davidson.