National Grid has submitted an application for development consent for its Sea Link project, a new electricity connection aimed at boosting energy security and facilitating cleaner energy delivery to Great Britain. The project, part of the broader Great Grid Upgrade initiative, is designed to increase the country’s electricity capacity as energy demand is expected to double in the coming years.
The proposed Sea Link connection will span 138 kilometers, running from Pegwell Bay in Kent to a location on the Suffolk coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Most of the cable route will be laid offshore, with 122 kilometers of the cables placed beneath the sea. The remaining section will consist of underground cables linking to converter stations, allowing electricity to be distributed to areas in East Anglia, Kent, and beyond.
Adrian Pierssene, Sea Link project director, emphasized the project’s importance, stating, “We have listened to and considered all the feedback we have received, shaping the plans we are submitting as a result. Sea Link is a vital investment in Great Britain’s energy future, creating the extra capacity needed to integrate renewable power into the grid, boosting energy security and supporting a cleaner electricity network.”
The development plans followed several rounds of public consultation from 2022 to 2025. The application will now go through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) planning process, managed by the Planning Inspectorate. The public will have additional opportunities to provide input during the examination stage of the application.
The Sea Link project is expected to play a key role in strengthening the national electricity grid, facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources, and helping the UK achieve its clean energy goals.
