The UK Planning Inspectorate has accepted National Grid’s development consent application for the proposed Sea Link project, a 2-gigawatt offshore electricity cable designed to enhance renewable energy transmission and reinforce the national power infrastructure.
The Sea Link project would connect the Suffolk coast near Aldeburgh and Thorpeness with Pegwell Bay in Kent via a 138-kilometre high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable, most of which would be laid offshore. The plan includes approximately 122 km of undersea cabling and 14 km of underground cables on land, linking to new converter stations at both ends of the route.
With the application now formally accepted, the project has entered the pre-examination stage. During this phase, stakeholders—including members of the public—will be able to register with the Planning Inspectorate as Interested Parties, allowing them to participate in the upcoming examination process. This includes submitting representations and attending public hearings.
A Preliminary Meeting will be held to outline the examination timeline and procedure. Following this, the Planning Inspectorate will conduct a detailed review before making a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who will make the final decision on whether the project proceeds.
“The acceptance of our application is a significant step forward and reflects the valuable input we have received from local communities and stakeholders,” said Adrian Pierssene, Project Director for Sea Link. “Sea Link will play a vital role in connecting more renewable energy to the grid as demand for energy rises, strengthening energy security and helping to deliver a cleaner electricity network.”
The Sea Link project is part of National Grid’s broader efforts to modernise the UK’s energy system in line with increasing electricity demand and the government’s net-zero targets.
