On this page you can find updates on the progress of the project and information on the upcoming works onshore and offshore.

Status of EGL1’s planning applications

The development of the EGL1 is well advanced and is in the process of securing all its planning permissions. If all our project’s planning applications are approved, the construction and installation of its converter stations, substations and cables is expected to start in 2025.There are three parts to the full consent of EGL1:

1. Consent of the onshore elements in County Durham, England

We were granted outline planning permission by Durham County Council for the English onshore elements of the project in November 2022. National Grid submitted the planning application.

The onshore elements include a new converter station, new substation and two hectares of public open space at Hawthorn Pit (between Murton and South Hetton), County Durham. All underground cabling works on land will be installed under our permitted development rights.

Looking ahead, we will need to submit detailed reserved matters applications to provide information such as the detailed design and appearance of the converter station and substation. We expect to submit to these applications to Durham County Council for approval in winter 2023/2024.

2. Consent of the onshore elements in East Lothian, Scotland

SP Energy Networks received in principle planning permission by East Lothian Council for the Scottish onshore elements of the project in May 2023.

The Scottish onshore elements include a new converter station, the landfall and underground cabling to the converter and  cabling between the converter and a new substation at Branxton which is to be  established under a separate project.

As with the English onshore scheme we will be submitting a detailed reserved matters application which will include the detailed design and appearance of the converter station and detailed design of the cable route. We expect to submit these during 2024.

3. Consent of the marine cables

Marine licences for the 176km of subsea cables have been granted by the Marine Management Organisation and Marine Scotland. 

Project timeline

Project timeline from the preferred bidder announcements in the summer of 2023 to the completion of EGL1 in 2029

County Durham

Overview of planned onshore works: 

  • The construction of a new converter station and new substation next to our existing site at Hawthorn Pit (between Murton and South Hetton) 
  • The installation of underground cables to connect the new converter station and the new substation 
  • Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) activities from land to sea
  • The installation of underground cables connecting the converter station with the landfall point just north of Seaham 
  • Temporary works, such as site welfare compounds and access roads to facilitate the construction and installation of the above 

Archaeology surveys and temporary track diversion

To prepare our project area at Hawthorn Pit, will we be undertaking archaeology surveys on the land (located between Coop House Wood and Jade Business Park) where we will site our converter station and accompanying public open space.

To allow safe access to this area, we also plan to make a minor temporary diversion to a public track that runs along its perimeter. 

We expect both these works to start in August 2023 and finish in October 2023. We do not anticipate any disruption to residents as there will be minimal vehicle movements and only minor works. Work will also occur between the hours of 8am and 6pm on weekdays.

Torness area, East Lothian

Overview of planned onshore works: 

  • The construction of a new converter station (next to Viridor’s Energy Recovery Facility)
  • The installation of underground cables to connect the new converter station to a new substation being built by SP Energy Networks under a separate project
  • Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) activities from land to sea
  • The installation of underground cables connecting the converter station with the landfall point just south of Thorntonloch Beach
  • Temporary works, such as site welfare compounds and access roads to facilitate the construction and installation of the above

Marine

Overview of planned offshore works 

  • Marine surveys 
  • Seabed preparation activities 
  • The installation of 176km of marine cable under the seabed running from Thorntonloch Beach in East Lothian to the beach just north of Seaham in County Durham. 

Have a look at our About EGL1 page for details on how we plan on installing the marine cables.