Major undersea power cable given green light
The UK government has approved Sea Link, a 2 GW undersea power cable between Suffolk and Kent, to enhance grid capacity and energy security while reducing consumer costs.
The UK government has granted approval for Sea Link, a major undersea electricity transmission link connecting Suffolk and Kent. Developed by National Grid, the 2 GW connection will transport enough power for approximately 2 million homes, improving the flow of electricity from generation sites to demand centres. By alleviating grid congestion, the project aims to reduce reliance on paying generators to curtail output when network capacity is constrained. The initiative supports the government’s broader energy security goals by strengthening grid resilience and minimising energy waste, which is expected to help lower consumer bills.
The approval follows the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Great British Grid, a publicly owned entity within Great British Energy tasked with accelerating network upgrades through public and private investment. Additional reforms will allow developers and businesses to build their own grid connections where feasible, reducing delays and costs while fostering economic growth. The government emphasises that modernising the national grid is essential for integrating renewable energy sources and reducing dependence on volatile global fossil fuel markets.
The decision coincides with the approval of two large solar farms in Nottinghamshire and Cheshire, further advancing the UK’s clean energy capacity. Great North Road Solar in Nottinghamshire, with a capacity of 800 MW, is set to become one of the country’s largest solar projects, capable of powering around 400,000 homes annually. The site will incorporate agricultural grazing, with nearly 4,000 sheep expected to graze among the panels, rising to 9,000 during lambing season.
Frodsham Solar in Cheshire combines solar generation with battery storage, enabling some electricity to be stored for later use. Since July 2024, the government has approved 39 nationally significant clean energy projects. Sea Link’s offshore route between Suffolk and Kent will enhance transmission capacity, while Great North Road Solar’s developer, Element Green, plans to plant 64,500 trees, restore over 50 km of hedgerows, and create 34.8 km of new walking and riding routes.