World Environment Day 2026: Delivering Environmental Benefits Through EGL1
As the UK moves towards a cleaner energy future, Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) is helping connect renewable electricity to homes and businesses while taking practical steps to reduce its impact on the environment during construction.
For World Environment Day, celebrated annually on 5 June, project partners Murphy, Prysmian and Metlen are highlighting some of the ways environmental considerations are being built into the project, from reducing waste and carbon emissions to supporting local biodiversity and community initiatives.
Reducing carbon through construction
At the EGL1 substation site in County Durham, Murphy has carried out piling works using repurposed steel piles that were originally used in the oil and gas industry.
By reusing existing steel rather than manufacturing new materials, the approach is expected to save more than 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions within the substation footprint alone. This is equivalent to the emissions generated by more than 550 return flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and New York JFK (JFK) for a single passenger.
The initiative shows how materials can be reused in major infrastructure projects, helping to reduce carbon emissions and make better use of existing resources.
Protecting water and reducing waste
At the converter station site, Metlen Energy & Metals has introduced measures to reduce waste and help protect the surrounding environment during construction.
Water quality is monitored on site, with regular testing carried out to help protect local watercourses.
Soil excavated during earthworks has been reused on site, removing the need to bring in additional material. Other excavated soil is being retained for future landscaping and reinstatement works.
To date, no waste from the converter station construction works has been sent to landfill. Materials are reused or recycled wherever possible.
Water quality testing being carried out on site.
Supporting biodiversity and local communities
Environmental benefits are also being delivered beyond the construction sites themselves.
Prysmian project teams have donated around 900kg of waste timber, including wooden pallets, to community organisations in East Lothian, such as Dunbar Shed and North Berwick Shed. The materials are being reused in community projects and to create hedgehog houses that support local wildlife.
Project teams have also volunteered their time to support environmental schemes in local communities.
Supporting local Spring Clean initiatives, Prysmian and supply chain colleagues took part in litter picks at North Bewick Beach and Vale Tempest Beach, dedicating 17 hours of volunteer time to remove litter along the coast in partnership with the Scottish Seabird Centre and Durham County Council, respectively.
In East Lothian, Prysmian and supply chain colleagues have also supported biodiversity conservation work and footpath maintenance at Gifford Community Woodland, in partnership with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust. The team dedicated 35 hours of volunteer time to help protect the woodland.
These activities form part of EGL1's wider commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment during construction.
Volunteers supporting activities at Gifford Community Woodland and local beach clean events.
Supporting a cleaner future
EGL1 is a 196km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) electricity link connecting East Lothian and County Durham via the North Sea. Once complete, it will be capable of carrying enough electricity to power around two million homes.
From reusing materials and reducing waste to supporting biodiversity and community-led environmental projects, EGL1 is working to leave a positive legacy for the communities and environments where it is building.
• Email: contact@easterngreenlink1.co.uk.
• Freephone: 0808 196 8405 - our phoneline is open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.