Construction Other

Permanent construction works for Eastern Green Link 1 commenced on the Scottish side of the project in late January 2026, marking the transition from the enabling-works phase that began in March 2025 into delivery of the permanent infrastructure that will remain in place once the link is complete. Works underway along the Scottish cable route include installation of underground HVDC cables via Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), a trenchless method that allows cables to be laid below ground with minimal surface disruption. At the Scottish HVDC converter station site near Torness in East Lothian, piling works for the converter station foundations are progressing and the permanent welfare facilities are under construction. These activities mark the first stage of construction for the new converter station and substation sites in Scotland. The project's Deputy Project Director described the permanent works as 'a key milestone in delivering this nationally significant electricity link'. The 2 GW HVDC link continues to target an in-service date of around April 2029, in line with the revised programme following Ofgem's November 2025 ODI Penalty Exemption Period decision.