Introducing SEGL2

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 Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire (SEGL2) and one from the Torness area in East Lothian, to Hawthorn Pit, in County Durham (SEGL1).

The SEGL2 project is being jointly developed with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN). SSEN is the transmission owner for Northern Scotland and is developing the onshore and offshore aspects of the scheme in Scotland. SEGL1 is being jointly developed with ScottishPower Energy Networks (SPEN).
 

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Landowners and tenants

If you are a landowner or tenant with land interests directly affected by our proposed project, then please visit our dedicated Landowner information page.

Status of our project’s planning applications

There are four parts to the full consent of SEGL2: consent for underground cable in East Yorkshire, England; consent for a new converter station and section of underground cable in Selby District, England; consent for a converter station and underground cable in Peterhead, Scotland; and, consent for subsea cable 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 2029.
 

1. Consent of the onshore elements in East Yorkshire, England

We were granted full planning permission by East Riding of Yorkshire Council for the majority of project’s onshore underground cable, and associated works to construct it, in March 2023.

You can read more about the underground cable on our proposal page.

You can view our approved application and associated documents by visiting the Council’s planning portal, quoting our application’s reference number: 22/01990/STPLFE.
 

2. Consent of the onshore elements in Selby District, England

We applied to Selby District Council for outline planning permission for a new converter station and full planning permission for the section of onshore cable that would sit within the district.

However, the newly established North Yorkshire Council has now assumed the role of reviewing and approving the planning application. We are awaiting a decision from the new Council and expect it in the coming months.

You can read more about the underground cable and the proposed converter station on our proposal page.

You can view our application on Selby District Council’s planning portal, quoting the reference number: 2022/0711/EIA.
 

3. Consent of the onshore elements in Peterhead, Scotland

SEGL2 is being jointly developed with Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), who are developing the project’s onshore elements in Peterhead, Scotland. These onshore elements, comprised of a new converter station and underground cable, have been granted planning approval.
 

4. Consent of the offshore elements in English and Scottish Waters

As a project, we have submitted marine licence applications to the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland for SEGL2’s 437km submarine cable, the offshore element of the project. The English application can be viewed in the public register using the reference number: MLA/2022/00273.

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.

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 8407 or at [email protected]

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