Frequently asked questions
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about EGL 5
We hope they answer your questions, and we will continue to update them as our proposals develop. If your question is not listed below please get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0800 358 4817.
About the project
EGL 5 is a new primarily offshore high voltage electricity link, with associated onshore infrastructure, between Scotland and England.
This new electricity link is needed because the existing network does not have enough capacity. It cannot reliably transport the increasing amount of energy generated in Scotland and Scottish waters to where it is needed. Once built, it would connect enough home-grown energy to power up to two million homes and businesses. It would boost Britain’s energy security.
EGL 5’s subsea cables would run from Scotland and make landfall at Anderby Creek on the Lincolnshire coastline. From landfall, the cable would meet a transition joint bay, connecting the subsea and onshore cables, before running underground up to 8 km to a new converter station in north-east Bilsby. A 1 km underground cable would connect the converter station to a substation. The substation is being proposed as part of National Grid’s Grimsby to Walpole project and is therefore not included in the EGL 5 proposals.
The UK’s electricity grid was originally built to connect electricity generated in power stations from fossil fuels, such as coal from the North and Midlands of England and South Wales.
The amount of energy being generated in the UK from renewable sources is increasing. Following guidance from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we have identified that the existing transmission network does not currently have the capacity to reliably transport this increasing energy.
The energy needs to be transported between Scotland where it is generated, to the Midlands and the South of England where it is needed. EGL 5 would help provide increased capacity, carrying up to 2 gigawatt of electricity, enough to power two million homes and businesses. It would also strengthen our energy security and resilience.
In Summer 2025, we held our first stage of consultation on EGL 5. This allowed us to introduce the project, seek feedback on our early proposals, and answer any questions.
We are now in our second stage of consultation, where we are presenting our updated proposals on the project. Our Stage 2 consultation period runs from Friday 29 May 2026 until Friday 24 July 2026. We encourage everyone to take time to review our proposals and share your feedback on our updated proposals.
Several key changes have been made since our Stage 1 consultation in Summer 2025. These are the result of consultation feedback, as well as engineering preferences and survey results. They are listed below.
Subsea cable route
Feedback received expressed concern for wildlife, biodiversity, landscape and cumulative impact. To address these, we have made several changes, including making changes to the subsea cable route in English waters. This route was chosen to limit possible interaction with nearby windfarm projects and Marine Conversation Zones.
Underground onshore cable route
At Stage 1 consultation we shared two separate onshore cable routes – one north of Huttoft and one south of Huttoft. We have now confirmed the north cable route and we are sharing our updated proposals for this route, including some small cable adjustments. This route was preferred from an engineering perspective and from feedback received at Stage 1 consultation.
Converter station
We are also moving forward with the west converter station siting zone, north-east of Bilsby, where the converter station would be located. This site is located adjacent to the area that has been proposed for the LCS-B substation (part of the Grimsby to Walpole Project), which EGL 5 would connect into. The west converter station siting zone was taken forward as a result of local feedback.
Construction
Feedback received also expressed concerns around traffic, road suitability and general disruption due to construction. To alleviate this, we are bringing forward two proposed options for temporary haul roads. These will be introduced to facilitate construction activities and ensure local traffic is not impacted by construction traffic.
We will consider all feedback received from our stage 2 consultation, along with further information from surveys, assessments and wider stakeholder engagement, as we further develop and refine our proposals.
Following further development and finalisation of our detailed proposals, we will submit our DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate, planned for 2027. This will include a consultation report showing how we have taken account of feedback.
If EGL 5 was connected to the existing network in Walpole like EGL 3 and EGL 4, additional network reinforcement would be required in the Bilsby area to carry the power to the Midlands where demand is rising. Connecting EGL 5 to Lincolnshire Connection Substation- B (LCS-B) meets the need to upgrade the network in this region, as identified by NESO, in the most cost effective, efficient and environmentally sensitive way.
Local communities and the environment
EGL 5 is still in early stage of development, however, we will thoroughly consider the environmental impact of the project before we submit our application for a development consent order (DCO).
An environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be undertaken, and an environmental statement (ES) produced, to support our application for a DCO, which will include the onshore and offshore elements of the project in England and English waters. The EIA forms a core part of the consenting process, assessing the potential effects on biodiversity, landscape, air quality, water resources, and cultural heritage, among other factors. The findings of the EIA (alongside feedback from stakeholders) will inform our project routing and siting, enabling us to either avoid, minimise, or mitigate any significant impacts.
During this Stage 2 statutory consultation, we have published our initial findings of this environmental assessment in a document called the Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR). This can be found on our Document library.
The feedback we receive at this Stage 2 consultation will inform the final Environmental Statement (ES) submitted as part of the DCO application.
The grid is a national network, and we have to plan its reinforcement as a whole. EGL 5 is one of a series of proposed new grid developments and is forming part of a larger group of projects being considered at the same time.
The geographical proximity of Grimsby to Walpole, EGL 5 and other projects presents opportunities to co-locate infrastructure and reduce impacts. This approach requires balancing each project's constructability with the need to reduce environmental and community impacts. Strategic planning and stakeholder engagement are key to identifying opportunities for infrastructure sharing that can lessen the overall footprint and disruption.
EGL 5's ultimate connection point into the grid is the LCS-B substation which is part of GtW's proposals. Our proposed onshore infrastructure provides a relatively direct route to this substation and we are working with GtW to minimise impact and coordinate projects where possible.
Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL 3) and Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL 4), which would share a joint landfall with EGL 5 at Anderby Creek. From Anderby Creek, EGL 5 would follow a separate route as opposed to EGL 3 and EGL 4 to connect into the electricity network.
We will look to coordinate with all projects, where possible, to minimise impacts on communities and the environment.
The UK’s electricity grid was originally built to connect electricity generated in power stations from fossil fuels, such as coal from the North and Midlands of England and South Wales. The amount of energy being generated in the UK from renewable sources is increasing.
Following guidance from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we have identified that the existing transmission network does not currently have the capacity to reliably transport this increasing energy. The energy needs to be transported between Scotland where it is generated, to the Midlands and the South of England where it is needed.
EGL 5 would help provide increased capacity, carrying up to 2 GW of electricity, enough to power two million homes and businesses. It would also strengthen our energy security and resilience.
As we seek to invest in our electricity transmission network, Lincolnshire is at a critical location to support two key network reinforcement requirements, including:
- Reinforcing boundaries – We need to enhance the capability of the electricity transmission system between the North and the Midlands, and between the Midlands and the South. Lincolnshire is a critical corridor for these transmission routes, facilitating the movement of electricity from renewable sources in the North to demand centres in the South.
- Connecting local energy generation - Lincolnshire's proximity to the North Sea makes it a strategic location for connecting offshore wind farms to the national grid. The region is seeing significant investments in renewable energy projects, particularly offshore wind, which necessitates upgrades to the grid to handle the increased capacity.
About National Grid
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.
Within the National Grid Group there are distinctly separate legal entities, each with their individual responsibilities and roles. More information on National Grid can be found here.
National Grid Electricity Transmission, owns, maintains and operates the high voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. This network operates primarily at 400 kilovolts (kv) and 275 kV.