Our proposed project

The UK is a world leader in offshore wind energy and has a target to become net zero in all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 for England and Wales, and 2045 for Scotland.

As the country shifts away from traditional forms of fuel to heat homes, charge vehicles and power businesses, there will be a greater need for green electricity. By the end of this decade, the UK Government aims for every home in the country to be powered by offshore wind.

To help deliver more green energy to homes and businesses across the UK, we need to increase the capability of our network between Scotland – with its many renewable energy sources – and the rest of the UK.

To do this, we have submitted planning applications to construct two new High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) electrical ‘superhighways’; one from the Torness area in East Lothian, to Hawthorn Pit, between Murton and South Hetton, in County Durham (SEGL1) and one from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire (SEGL2).

The SEGL1 project (also known as the Eastern Link project) is being jointly developed with ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN). SPEN is the transmission owner for Central and Southern Scotland, and are developing the onshore and offshore aspects of the scheme in Scotland. SEGL2 is being jointly developed with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).

Status of our project’s planning applications

There are three parts to the full consent of SEGL1: consent of the onshore elements in England; consent of the onshore elements in Scotland; and consent of the offshore elements in English and Scottish waters.

If all our project’s consent applications are approved, we expect to begin construction in autumn 2024 and finish in 2027.

1. Consent of the onshore elements in County Durham, England

We were granted outline planning permission by Durham County Council for the English onshore elements of the project in November 2022.

The onshore elements include a new converter station, new substation and two hectares of public open space at Hawthorn Pit (between Murton and South Hetton), County Durham. All underground cabling works on land will be installed under our permitted development rights. You can read more about these onshore elements on Our proposal page.

You can view our approved application and associated documents by visiting the Council’s planning portal and inputting our application’s reference number: DM/22/01663/OUT.

Looking ahead, we will need to submit detailed ‘reserved matters’ applications to provide information such as the detailed design and appearance of the converter station and substation. We expect to submit to these applications to Durham County Council for approval in winter 2023/2024.

2. Consent of the onshore elements in the Torness area, Scotland

SEGL1 is being jointly developed with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), who are developing the project’s onshore elements in Scotland. A decision on their planning application is expected in spring 2023.

3. Consent of the offshore elements

We have submitted marine licence applications to the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland for SEGL1’s 176km submarine cable, the offshore element of the project. The English application can be viewed in the public register using the reference number MLA/2022/00231. Much like planning permission onshore, this process involves a period of technical appraisal and consultation which will inform the outcome of the application. We expect a decision to be made in spring 2023

Compulsory Purchase Order landowner information

For information on our submitted Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), please visit here.

About us

National Grid sits at the heart of Britain’s energy system, connecting millions of people and businesses to the energy they use every day. We bring energy to life – in the heat, light and power we bring to our customer’s homes and businesses; in the way that we support our communities and help them to grow; and in the way we show up in the world. It is our vision to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future.

Our individual companies run the systems and infrastructure that deliver electricity and gas across the country.

National Grid Electricity Transmission own, build, and manage the electricity grid in England and Wales to which many different energy sources are connected. National Grid Gas Transmission own, build, and manage the gas transmission network in Great Britain, making gas available when and where it’s needed. National Grid ESO (Electricity System Operator) control the movement of electricity around the country ensuring supply meets demand. Finally, National Grid Ventures (NGV) is the competitive division of National Grid, investing in energy projects, technologies, and partnerships to accelerate the development of our clean energy future.

Learn more about us by visiting our main site.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our project, please get in touch with a member of our community relations team.

You can call or email the team on 0808 196 8405 or at [email protected].

You can also register for updates from the project by filling out the form below.