Construction enabling works begin for EGL2’s onshore cable in Yorkshire

• Enabling works begin in preparation for the installation of 68km of underground cable in Yorkshire, as part of the Eastern Green Link 2 project. 
• Cable route enters construction stage following months of preparatory surveys along the route.
• Investment in upgrading and reinforcing the UK’s transmission network, will accelerate the shift to a more affordable, secure and home-grown electricity. 

Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) is a new electricity transmission link designed to transfer clean, home-grown energy between Scotland and England and will provide enough electricity to power up to two million homes. The project, developed as a joint venture with SSEN Transmission, is a vital upgrade to the transmission network to meet the growing demand for electricity in the years ahead. 

Enabling works for the onshore cable route began on Monday 11 August and include vegetation clearance and installing bellmouth road junctions, fencing, compounds and culverts. These works will take place along the 68km underground cable route between Fraisthorpe, East Yorkshire and Drax, North Yorkshire and are expected to be completed by May 2027. 

To determine the cable’s route and design, a range of surveys and investigations are taking place along the proposed route, all of which are nearing completion. These include archaeological and ecological surveys and trial holes, which are carried out to confirm the depth and location of utility services.  

The main cable trenching and duct installation is scheduled to begin in March 2026, with onshore cable installation planned for 2027.   

Aden Precious, EGL2 Senior Project Manager, said:   

“The transition from survey activities to enabling works across the onshore underground cable route in England is a significant milestone for the project, which will help meet the nation’s growing demand for electricity in the years ahead. 

“The enabling works are a vital part of the project where we will install temporary haul roads to enable installation of the underground cables. These routes will operate with strategic access points to minimise disturbance to local road networks and local communities whilst we undertake this nationally important infrastructure project, which when completed will transport clean energy to around two million homes.” 

Owing to the nature of these works, some disruption to local communities is expected. However, EGL2 will do everything possible to minimise the impact of construction works and will inform communities in advance of any scheduled work.