Western Link 2 is a joint National Grid / SP Energy Networks proposal for a new HVDC subsea interconnector linking western Scotland and North Wales to reinforce GB transmission capacity and carry offshore renewable generation to demand centres. The project is being developed as part of the Great ...
SP Energy Networks published its Western Link 2 project information and confirmed the project’s preferred elements, stating that Monkton (near Prestwick) was selected as the preferred landfall and that a preferred converter site adjacent to Kilmarnock South and a preferred switching‑station site at Grangestone had been identified. This announcement formed part of the project’s first round of public consultation materials and informed the next stage of detailed design and environmental appraisal.
SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission formed a project partnership to develop Western Link 2, a proposed ~2GW, 525kV HVDC subsea link between Ayrshire (Scotland) and the transmission network in Wales. The partnership was announced in SP Energy Networks’ project press release on 21 October 2025 and launched a joint public consultation process. The arrangement places the two transmission system operators (TSOs) in a collaborative delivery role to progress routeing, converter station siting, environmental appraisal and consenting for the early-development Western Link 2 project, intended to unlock offshore wind capacity and strengthen cross-border network capacity.
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WL2, W LINK 2, Cysylltiad Gorllewinol 2, Cyswllt Gorllewinol 2
The Fugro geophysical survey campaign for Western Link 2 was reported in industry notices as scheduled to run through mid‑October 2025 and to be completed on or about 12 October 2025. Sources set this date as the planned end of the Caernarfon Bay survey work but did not provide a separate, explicit confirmation that the campaign had been formally closed out.
Fugro commenced an offshore geophysical survey campaign for the Western Link 2 interconnector on 14 August 2025 in the nearshore area of Caernarfon Bay, Wales. The campaign was executed from the survey vessel Fugro Valkyrie and aimed to gather seabed mapping and seabed-condition data required to inform cable routing and installation planning for the subsea HVDC cable link between Scotland and Wales. The work was described in source notices as a precision marine geophysical programme to support route definition and engineering studies.
Scottish Power (Scottish Power UK Plc) awarded the Western Link 2 Onshore FEED Study contract to AtkinsRéalis UK Limited, with the contract concluded on 22 July 2025. The FEED scope covers site and route option selection and technical feasibility for the northern converter and switching (T‑Point) sites, land rights and acquisition support, and production of technical data for tender packages to inform subsequent procurement and detailed design.
National Grid Electricity Transmission (jointly promoting Western Link 2 with SP Energy Networks) said it will undertake further non-statutory consultation in 2026 and intends to submit planning proposals to the local planning authority in Gwynedd (Cyngor Gwynedd) for the North Wales onshore works — including a landfall, underground cable route and a new converter station near Pentir — after detailed design and environmental assessment work is complete. The developer described the submissions as part of the pre-application and statutory engagement process for the project’s onshore Welsh consenting.
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