Major milestone as Secretary of State grants Development Consent Order for Sea Link

Sea Link has secured a major planning milestone after the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero granted development consent for the project. The decision enables National Grid to move Sea Link into its next phase, helping meet the UK’s growing need for secure, home-grown and cleaner power.

The decision follows a detailed examination process led by the Planning Inspectorate, after National Grid submitted its application for development consent. The process included consultation and engagement with communities, elected representatives, landowners, businesses, councils and environmental organisations in Suffolk and Kent.

Adrian Pierssene, Project Director for Sea Link at National Grid, said: “This decision is an important step forward for Sea Link and for the electricity network in England and Wales. As homes, transport and businesses use more electricity, demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Sea Link will help the network carry more secure and home-grown power to where it is needed. It will also support the jobs, skills and supply chain needed to deliver The Great Grid Upgrade.”

He added: “Our focus now is on detailed delivery planning, working closely with local partners and keeping communities informed before and during construction.”

Sea Link will include a 138 km high-voltage electricity link, most of it offshore, with onshore infrastructure at either end to connect it into the existing transmission network. By adding capacity and flexibility to the network, the project will help unlock more low-carbon electricity, reduce pressure on existing parts of the system, and support a more reliable energy system for homes and businesses.

Siemens Energy has been appointed to build Sea Link's converter stations in Kent and Suffolk. The company's global HVDC software and controls centre of excellence in Manchester, backed by more than £5 million of investment and supported by training and apprenticeship programmes across the UK, is helping to build the skills and engineering expertise needed to deliver Sea Link and accelerate the UK's energy transition. Over the past four years, Siemens Energy has doubled direct employment across its UK grid and substation businesses, creating nearly 400 jobs, including 120 apprentices and graduates.

The subsea cable for Sea Link will be manufactured by Sumitomo Electric at its new £350 million factory at the Port of Nigg in Scotland. The UK’s first high-voltage direct current subsea cable factory will directly create more than 200 skilled local jobs, with a projected wider impact of more than 400 jobs across the UK supply chain.

Sea Link is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, National Grid’s programme of major infrastructure projects to connect more home-grown, secure energy and strengthen the electricity network across England and Wales. As the project moves forward, National Grid will work with delivery partners and regional stakeholders to identify opportunities for local businesses, jobs, skills, and training.

National Grid will now review the detail of the consent and continue preparations for delivery, including construction planning, environmental commitments and ongoing engagement with communities and stakeholders.

Subject to detailed construction planning, construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the project expected to be complete by 2031.