Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) has reached the end of its first year, marking the transition from planning into construction in both Scotland and England.
In Scotland, permanent works are underway along the cable route. In England, construction is progressing at Hawthorn Pit and Murton.
Over the past year, the project has delivered a wide range of social value activities. These include community projects, education programmes, and environmental initiatives. An £8 million Community Benefit Fund has been set up to support local communities throughout the construction phase, creating a lasting legacy that helps those communities thrive in the years to come.
EGL1 is a joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission. The 196km link will connect Torness in Scotland to County Durham in the North East of England. It will deliver secure, cleaner and more affordable electricity to around two million homes.
Construction officially began on 13 February 2025 with a groundbreaking event at Torness. This was attended by the CEOs of SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission, alongside Paul McLennan, MSP to mark the start of the works.
Progress in Scotland
Permanent works are progressing along the cable route in Scotland. This includes installing cables using a trenchless method called Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). HDD allows cables to be installed underground with minimal disruption at the surface.
In Torness, East Lothian, other works include the construction of the new converter station, which is progressing with piling works underway. Work is also ongoing to construct the permanent welfare facilities. These activities mark the first stage of construction for the new converter station and substation sites.
Nik Davies, Deputy Project Director for EGL1, said:
“The permanent works will remain in place once construction is complete. They are a key milestone in delivering this nationally significant electricity link. We are proud of the progress made over the past year as the project has moved from planning into delivery. These accomplishments reflect the drive, skill, passion and commitment of a huge range of people across our teams, partners and local supply chain.”
Progress in England
In England, permanent works began in early February 2026 at Murton and Hawthorn Pit. This work is preparing the foundations for a new converter station and substation between Murton and South Hetton.
Construction will continue throughout the year. This will include the digging of cable joint bays and trenches in addition to HDD works along the cable route.
The project continues to progress in line with programme milestones, with the aim of being fully operational by 2029.