Eastern Green Link 4 awards £2bn HVDC cable contract to Prysmian

Eastern Green Link 4 has awarded a £2 billion cable supply contract to Prysmian, securing the delivery of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables for one of the UK’s largest subsea electricity transmission projects.

The contract covers the manufacture and supply of more than 640km of cable for the 2GW Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4) interconnector, which will link Fife in Scotland with Norfolk in England. The project is being developed as a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission.

Of the total cable length, 530km will be subsea HVDC cable, with a further 116km installed underground onshore. HVDC technology has been selected as the most efficient solution for transmitting large volumes of electricity over long distances, supporting the UK’s clean power and energy security objectives.

Once operational in 2033, Eastern Green Link 4 will be capable of transporting enough renewable electricity to power more than 1.5 million homes, while helping to reduce grid constraints and enable greater volumes of low-carbon generation to connect to the network.

Iain Adams, Eastern Green Link 4 Project Director, said the project plays a vital role in the transformation of Britain’s transmission system, both offshore and onshore. He added that appointing Prysmian brings proven HVDC expertise that will support the UK electricity network for decades.

From National Grid’s perspective, James Goode, Project Director, highlighted the importance of large-scale HVDC infrastructure in reinforcing the east coast transmission corridor and delivering cleaner, more affordable energy to consumers.

Raul Gil, EVP Transmission at Prysmian, said the UK continues to set the benchmark for future-ready electricity networks, noting that subsea HVDC links between Scotland and England are increasingly being replicated internationally.

The SP Energy Networks and National Grid joint venture is developing two east coast links. Prysmian is also supplying the cable for Eastern Green Link 1, another 2GW HVDC project currently under construction between Torness in Scotland and Hawthorn Pit in England.

Planning applications for Eastern Green Link 4 are expected to be submitted in England and Scotland during 2026. Subject to regulatory approval, construction is anticipated to begin in 2029, with full operation targeted for 2033.

www.scottishpower.com