Delivering a cleaner, greener future

The construction of SEGL2 and its sister project, SEGL1, will create two High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) electricity ‘superhighways’ from Scotland to England.

SEGL2 will run from Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire, via the North Sea.

Both SEGL1 and SEGL2 are essential to meet the UK’s net zero commitments and deliver a cleaner, greener future.
 

What we propose to build

We are proposing to build and connect a new converter station at Drax, North Yorkshire. We also plan to install an underground cable from the coastline at Wilsthorpe, just south of Bridlington, to the new converter station, and an existing substation at Drax.

We applied to Selby District Council for outline planning permission for the 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.

The plans, which we have detailed below, are also available to view on Selby District Council’s planning portal, quoting the reference number: 2022/0711/EIA.

In March 2023, we were granted full planning permission by East Riding of Yorkshire Council for the majority of the project’s onshore underground cable. You can view our approved application by visiting the Council’s planning portal and inputting our application’s reference number: 22/01990/STPLFE.
 

Converter station

Our converter station will house the technology to enable the green electricity to be transmitted through the approximately 505km cable.

A converter station converts electricity between Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC). AC is used in each country’s transmission system, while DC is used for sending electricity long distances along the subsea cables. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are developing proposals for the Scottish end of the link, which includes a new converter station in Peterhead.

Below is a plan that shows how we propose to lay out our converter station and integrate it into its surroundings.

This is an indicative image of what the converter station could look like.

Underground cable

The proposed cable route for SEGL2 runs under the North Sea for most of its 505km total length.

After travelling under the sea from Peterhead, it will come ashore at Wilsthorpe, just south of Bridlington. The cable will then run underground onshore for around 68km, to the new converter station and existing substation at Drax.

Please see the below image for a map of the route – from Wilsthorpe on the coast, to our new converter station at Drax.

You can also view an interactive map of our proposed onshore cable route. Please note that when you click on this link you will be taken to another website.

View interactive map

Planning permission for the offshore section of the cable

The project has also submitted a marine licence application to the Marine Maritime Organisation for SEGL2’s approximately 437km submarine cable, the offshore element of the project. 

Much like planning permission onshore, this process involves a period of technical appraisal and consultation which will inform the outcome of the application.

You can view our marine licence application on the public register by quoting the project reference number: MLA/2022/00273.

If you have any questions about the above plans, please get in touch via email at [email protected]  or telephone on 0808 196 8407.

When will the work happen?

We have submitted all parts of our planning application for the onshore elements of SEGL2. So far, we have received full planning permission for the onshore elements in East Yorkshire from East Riding of Yorkshire Council. We are awaiting a decision on from North Yorkshire Council on the elements located in its area.

If all elements are approved, construction is expected to begin in 2024 and finish in 2029.