GGU image

Examination

Sea Link is a proposed 138 km primarily offshore offshore high voltage electricity link between a new Minster substation in Kent, and the new Kiln Lane substation in Suffolk.

Our proposals include: 

Kent 

  • a landfall point on the Kent coast at Pegwell Bay
  • a transition joint bay approximately 800 m inland, to connect our subsea and onshore high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables
  • approximately 1.7 km of HVDC cable from the transition joint bay to the converter station
  • a new converter station near Minster 
  • a new substation near Minster, adjacent to the new converter station 
  • removing 2.2 km of existing overhead line, and constructing 3.5 km of new overhead line, to connect the new substation to the wider transmission network.

Offshore

  • 122 km of subsea HVDC cable between Kent and Suffolk.

Suffolk 

  • a landfall point on the Suffolk coast, north of Aldeburgh
  • a transition joint bay, approximately 1 km inland, to connect our subsea and onshore high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables
  • approximately 10 km of HVDC cable from the transition joint bay to the new converter station 
  • a new converter station near Saxmundham 
  • approximately 1.9 km of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable from the converter station to the new Kiln Lane substation near Friston. 

Separately to Sea Link, we are building the new Kiln Lane substation and connecting it to the existing overhead lines in Suffolk. These works were consented under Scottish Power Renewables' DCOs for East Anglia ONE North and East Anglia TWO, and will be starting shortly. 

The Kiln Lane substation is also included as part of Sea Link, and would only be delivered as part of Sea Link if not completed separately. 

For more information, please see our Kiln Lane substation project website

These works are also included in our Sea Link proposals, but would only be delivered as part of Sea Link if not delivered. 

Interactive map

Our interactive map has been updated to include the changes made to our proposals in late 2025. Please note, the boundary presented for the LionLink project is taken from their statutory consultation materials (2026).

December 2025 updates 

In October 2025, we consulted with relevant stakeholders and local residents on a series of small changes to our plans for Sea Link. These changes were accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in December 2025, prior to Examination.

The proposed changes include:

  • change to access at the former hoverport near Cliffsend, Kent to ensure we can avoid the saltmarsh habitat when carrying out works 
  • change to work plans at Friston (Kiln Lane) substation, Suffolk to align with Scottish Power Renewable's (SPR's) detailed design plans of the substation
  • removal of archaeology findings east of Friston, Suffolk from our Order Limits
  • inclusion of Benhall Railway Bridge and adjacent section of land to the east of the B1121 into the Order Limits
  • maintenance area for new hedgerow south of the B1119, Suffolk. 

Further details of these changes can be found in our Document Library here

The Great Grid Upgrade

What's energy resilience got to do with movie marathons? Find out how – and why – we’re connecting more clean energy to power the things you love.

Find out more