Our proposals
We are seeking views on our updated proposals, including where we propose to build the new infrastructure and any other factors you would like us to consider as we further develop our plans.
The key onshore and offshore elements of our proposals in England and English waters are:
- Offshore high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. In English waters, EGL 3's cable would be approximately 436 km long and EGL 4's would be approximately 425 km
- Transition joint bays to connect our offshore and onshore HVDC cables, located onshore near to our proposed cables landfall at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coastline
- Underground HVDC cables running together for approximately 100 km from the joint landfall at Anderby Creek to the EGL 3 and EGL 4 converter stations in the Walpole area, West Norfolk
- Two converter stations in the Walpole area with one converter station for EGL 3 and one for EGL 4
- One substation in the Walpole area, called Walpole B, where both EGL 3 and EGL 4’s Walpole converter stations would connect to and then onto the electricity transmission network (this substation is also jointly proposed as part of NGET's Grimsby to Walpole project)
- Onshore underground high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cables that would connect the converter stations into the substation
- Supplementary works to the existing 400 kV overhead line to enable a connection with the new Walpole substation.
Sufficient land would be required to build EGL 3 and EGL 4 and to reduce the potential impacts of the projects, including:
- temporary land for construction activities including work areas for construction equipment and machinery, site offices, welfare, storage, access and drainage
- land required for mitigation, compensation and enhancement of the environment as a result of the environmental assessment process, and for the purposes of delivering biodiversity net gain, for example by landscaping and planting.
Find out where our proposals would be located
You can view the proposals on our interactive map by following the link below.
To learn more about the detail of what’s being proposed in your area, please see our Stage 2 consultation document, which is available to download from our Document library.
EGL 3 and EGL 4 onshore in England
EGL 3 and EGL 4’s timeline
What’s happened so far?
Since the close of our stage 1 consultation in Summer 2024, we have reviewed and carefully considered the feedback we received alongside the outcome of technical and environmental studies.
This has been used to inform the further development of our more detailed proposals and has resulted in several changes to our proposals (see below).
We are now seeking your feedback on our updated proposals, including where the new infrastructure could be built and what you would like us to consider as we further develop our proposals.
What has changed since our stage 1 consultation?
Changes include:
- bringing EGL 3 and EGL 4’s proposed offshore cables in English waters into the scope of our development consent order application rather than consenting these separately by way of a standalone offshore license, which is why they are now part of this stage 2 consultation
- confirmation of landfall at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coastline for both EGL 3 and EGL 4’s offshore cables, with a potential landfall at Theddlethorpe discounted. This has removed the need for the cable route running south from Theddlethorpe
- removing the converter station and direct current switching station near Bilsby, East Lindsey, from our proposals. This would have provided a three-ended link for either EGL 3 or EGL 4. Note that National Grid’s Eastern Green Link 5 (EGL 5) project is proposing a new converter station in this general area. See its website for more information
- discounting the option for a cable route running north of Huttoft from Anderby Creek landfall to the Bilsby area
- discounting the option for a cable route that tracked the A17 from Fosdyke Bridge to Sutton Bridge
- adding an alternative proposed cable route, which is outside the emerging preferred corridor shown at our stage 1 consultation. This would run through Fenland District, Cambridgeshire, to the west of the River Nene. This is in response to new solar developments potentially affecting the original route
- avoiding land/properties where possible in response to feedback received from landowners
- discounting the offshore route options that routed directly through the centre of the Holderness Offshore Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). The proposed EGL 3 route now completely avoids the Holderness MCZ. The proposed EGL 4 cable route crosses the south-east corner of the Holderness MCZ but minimises interaction with it as much as possible.
Other than the key changes highlighted above, proposals for underground cables remains within our emerging preferred corridor shared during our stage 1 consultation.