A major power grid initiative in Britain has granted contracts valued at £1.8bn for a 190km underwater electricity transmission system, which will transport renewable energy from Scotland to the northern regions of England.
In 2025, National Grid and Scottish Power will start constructing a new high-voltage power line that spans from East Lothian to County Durham on the east coast of the country. This project is estimated to cost £2.5 billion and is expected to bring about significant changes.
The EGL1 project, also known as the Eastern Green Link 1 project, is a significant grid upgrade undertaking in Britain, aiming to transport sufficient renewable electricity to meet the energy needs of approximately 2 million households.
The UK is facing pressure to revamp its power grid in order to meet the expected doubling of electricity demand by 2040. This is part of a larger plan to reduce reliance on gas and other fossil fuels.
According to a recent report by The Guardian, in order to meet its climate targets, the UK government would need to install over 100km of electric wiring each day until 2040.
The International Energy Agency predicts that by the end of the next decade, the UK will need to add or improve 600,000km of electric lines in order to reach its climate goals. This is part of a larger global effort to secure high voltage cabling and other necessary electrical infrastructure components.
Prysmian Group, a global cable manufacturer, has been selected by the EGL1 project to provide approximately 400km of power cable. The contract also includes the supply of two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the cable, which will be carried out by GE Vernova and Mytilineos.
National Grid estimates that the planned upgrades will require tens of billions of pounds. The energy company, which is part of the FTSE 100, has issued a warning that the number of pylons and underground lines to be built by the end of the decade will be five times greater than the number built in the last 30 years. Additionally, the company states that four times more undersea cables will need to be laid compared to the current amount.
The upcoming general election in Britain will likely showcase the importance of upgrading the power grid. The future government must consider both the resistance from rural communities towards new grid developments and the potential positive impacts on the environment and economy.
A study conducted by National Grid has revealed that by 2050, approximately 400,000 job opportunities will be generated as a result of the necessary grid updates in Britain. This includes an estimated 150,000 jobs in Scotland and northern England.
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According to Peter Roper, the project director of EGL1, the super-cable will have a significant impact on the UK by improving supply security and facilitating the distribution and transportation of environmentally friendly energy for all consumers.
He stated: “The revelation of these contracts is a significant triumph for the supply chain and a crucial step as we construct the new network infrastructure to support the UK in achieving its goals of net zero emissions and energy security.”
Source: theguardian.com
