Positive
Project advancing - milestone achieved
High Impact
Major milestone or critical setback
Forecast estimate. Per SP Energy Networks Western Link 2 project page (spider-fetched 2026-05-15) verbatim: 'It is anticipated that we will start construction works in 2030.' Public consultation on initial preferred routes closed 28 November 2025; planning permission in principle (PiP) to be submitted to East/South Ayrshire Councils plus marine licence to Scottish Government MD-LOT before construction start. With HVDC build cycle of ~5 years for a 450 km 2 GW link (benchmarked against original Western Link Hunterston-Connah's Quay, FID 2012, energised 2018 — 6 years), construction start 2030 implies COD ~2035. 2 GW MachairWind offshore windfarm connects at Grangestone switching station, also gated by 2030 construction window. Reported (not estimated) because anchored to a developer-stated construction milestone — supersede when SPEN/National Grid publish a specific COD.