National Grid invites Lincolnshire and Norfolk communities to comment on proposed new subsea and underground electricity links

• Public consultation opens on plans for three subsea and underground electricity links, each of which will power around two million homes with secure and more affordable energy.

• The consultations run from 13 May to 23 June 2025 and are part of The Great Grid Upgrade—the biggest overhaul of the UK electricity network in generations.

National Grid is inviting communities in East Lindsey, Boston and South Holland in
Lincolnshire, King’s Lynn, West Norfolk, and Fenland in Cambridgeshire, to take part in consultations on three major clean electricity infrastructure projects: Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3), Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4)—and a newly proposed project, Eastern Green Link 5 (EGL5).

As demand for electricity in the UK is expected to double by 2050, these projects will provide the new network capacity needed to deliver clean, home-grown energy,
particularly from offshore wind, directly to where it’s needed most -the East Midlands and across England.

The new links, connecting different parts of Scotland to England, are designed to carry electricity over long distances, so underground and subsea cables are currently the most effective solution, enabling power to be transmitted efficiently between Scotland and England in areas where there is no infrastructure. By strengthening connections between the two countries, the projects, which each could transport enough power for up to two million homes, will significantly improve the UK’s energy security.

The consultations run from 13 May to 23 June 2025 and are part of The Great Grid
Upgrade—the biggest overhaul of the UK electricity network in generations. This
upgrade will support the country’s transition away from imported fossil fuels towards home-grown energy, strengthening Britain’s energy independence and improving the long-term security of supply.

Sean Stokoe, Head of Offshore Consents for National Grid, said: 

Eastern Green Links 3, 4 and the newly proposed EGL5 are critical to building the electricity infrastructure the UK needs for a secure, independent and more affordable energy future. As electricity demand is set to double, these projects will help us make the most of Britain’s offshore wind, reducing our reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. We’re keen to hear from local communities so we can shape our plans together.

About the projects

EGL3 and EGL4

National Grid is developing EGL3 with SSEN Transmission and EGL4 with SP Energy Networks. Both projects will facilitate the transport of power between Scotland (EGL3 at Peterhead; EGL4 at Westfield, Fife) under the North Sea and England at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coast. From there, underground cables would run approximately 100km to converter stations in the Walpole area of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, before connecting to the existing transmission network via a new substation. 

Following early engagement in April 2024, National Grid is now consulting on updated proposals which include:

• Confirming Anderby Creek as the landfall location for both projects, with
  Theddlethorpe removed from further consideration.
• We are no longer bringing forward proposals for a converter station and direct
  current switching station in the Bilsby area of East Lindsey.
• Removing a previously proposed cable route north from Huttoft to Bilsby
• Routeing EGL3 cables entirely outside the Holderness Offshore Marine
• Conservation Zone, with a minimal crossing by EGL4 cables.

EGL5 – new proposal

EGL5 is a newly proposed project, being developed by National Grid and SSEN
Transmission.

It would run approximately 555km under the sea from Scotland also landfalling at
Anderby Creek and then continue 9km underground to a new converter station in East Lindsey, Lincolnshire. 

Consulting on all three projects together allows local communities to understand how the proposals are being coordinated to reduce construction impacts. This includes the potential to share cable landfall locations, underground cable routes, and above-ground infrastructure.

Public information events and webinars

Webinars:

• Webinar 1: EGL 3 and EGL 4’s offshore proposals and EGL 5’s offshore
  proposals. Friday 23 May 12-1pm
• Webinar 2: EGL 3 and EGL 4 Anderby Creek landfall to Candlesby and EGL 5’s
  onshore proposals. Thursday 5 June 7-8pm
• Webinar 3: EGL 3 and EGL 4 Candlesby to Frith Bank. Tuesday 10 June 7-8pm
• Webinar 4: Frith Bank to South Holland Drain. Friday 30 May 12-1pm
• Webinar 5: South Holland Drain to Walpole area. Thursday 12 June 12-1pm
  Joint in-person public information events for EGL 3 and EGL 4, and EGL 5:
• Huttoft, Huttoft Village Hall, Thursday 22 May 2-7pm
  Alford, Alford Corn Exchange, Saturday 31 May 2-7pm
• In-person public information events for only EGL 3 and EGL 4:
• Burgh le Marsh, Burgh le Marsh Village Hall, Wednesday 21 May 2-7pm
• Eastville, Eastville, Midville and New Leake Village Hall, Saturday 24 May 2-7pm
• Walpole, Walpole Community Centre, Thursday 29 May 2-7pm
• Kirton Holme, Poachers Country Hotel, Kirton Holme, Tuesday 3 June 2-7pm
• Holbeach, The Holbeach Hub, Wednesday 4 June 2-7pm
• Tydd St Giles, Tydd St Giles Community Centre, Thursday 5 June 2-7pm