FAQs

National Grid Electricity Transmission owns, builds and maintains the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales. Every time a phone is plugged in, or a switch is turned on, National Grid Electricity Transmission has played a part, connecting you to the electricity you need.  

Electricity generated from wind farms and other power sources is transported through the electricity network of pylons, overhead lines, cables, and substations. It then goes on to separate lower voltage local distribution networks, which connect directly to homes and businesses. 

SP Energy Networks is the distribution and transmission network operator who keeps electricity flowing to homes and businesses throughout Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire and North Shropshire. 

They do this through the network of substations, overhead lines and underground cables which they own and maintain. 

EGL1 is part of The Great Grid Upgrade, the largest overhaul of the electricity network in generations.

This new electricity link is needed because the existing transmission network does not have enough capacity. It cannot reliably transport the increasing amount of energy generated in Scotland and Scottish waters.

By 2030, the UK Government aims to power every home in the country with offshore wind and has set a target for 50 gigawatts of capacity. EGL1 plays a crucial role in delivering this target.

When complete, EGL1 will deliver enough electricity for two million homes.

Typical working hours are:

• Monday to Friday: 7:30am to 6pm
• Saturday: 8am to 2pm

Occasionally, some works may need to take place outside these hours. We will provide advance notice where possible.

Some disruption is expected during construction.

We will:

• Plan works carefully
• Monitor impacts such as noise
• Use traffic management where needed
• Keep communities informed

You can find out more about where works will take place in relation to your area by viewing our interactive project map, linked here.

Piling works began in February 2026 and has finished at the Murton converter station site.

Piling is expected to be completed by Friday 28 August at the Hawthorn Pit substation site, as the recent hot and dry weather has resulted in harder ground conditions and meant that works are taking slightly longer to complete than originally planned.

No. Our onshore cables will be installed underground.

Once works are complete, the land will be restored.

We are committed to protecting the environment during construction, both onshore and offshore. 

We aim to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain in areas affected by our work. This means the natural environment will be left in the same or a better condition than before. Where possible, we will improve habitats and create better links for wildlife along the route and around our sites, working with landowners and local stakeholders. 

Environmental protection is built into how we design and deliver the project. We plan our work carefully to reduce disruption, lower carbon emissions and use resources efficiently. 

By working closely with our contractors and local communities, we aim to leave a positive and lasting environmental legacy in East Lothian and County Durham. 

EGL1 has been awarded a Community Benefit Fund by Ofgem to ensure local communities' benefit from hosting new electricity infrastructure. 

It is one of the first three transmission projects in the UK to receive this type of funding. 

The £8 million fund will be shared equally between England and Scotland. It will support projects that deliver social, environmental and economic benefits in local areas. 

We are working closely with communities and local representatives to make sure funding is targeted where it is most needed and delivers lasting value. 

Find out more about community benefits here.