I recently toured SSEN’s Eastern Green Link 2 project in Peterhead, meeting with senior officials from SSEN to engage in discussions on their ‘Transformation for Growth Plan’ announced last year.
As many of my constituents will be aware, EGL2 is a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid to install a 2GW high-voltage direct current subsea cable between Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and Drax in North Yorkshire. Once complete, the link will have the capacity to transmit enough clean electricity to power more than two million homes.
I was also keen to learn more about SSEN’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ plans in terms of investment in projects in the constituency including EGL2 and the development of their Beauly to Peterhead 400kV overhead line projects, as well Spittal to Peterhead subsea links, the Netherton Hub, and the development of the Kintore to Tealing 400kV project. As part of their ‘Pathway to 2030’, the company aim to invest £22 billion in its electricity transmission network.
My visit included a tour of the new Visitor Hub which was opened to the public at the end of last year and features interactive educational activities and exhibitions, including a Lego model of the converter, sections of marine cable and a hand operated generator, which is a great way to appeal to school pupils visiting the hub. Given the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project is here in the constituency, it’s important that it can spark the imagination of our young people who may become future workers in this industry.
Importantly, the people of the North-east and the communities that live close to this huge project must benefit from it in terms of jobs and skills, local supply chain growth and economic opportunity. The Just Transition is a huge part of this and is integral to economic benefits for these communities alongside funding for local projects which I am pleased to see has been factored into SSEN’s considerations at all stages of the development so far.
The North-east may have become the energy powerhouse for the UK, but this must not be at the cost of local communities. I’m pleased that SSEN are working with communities to create long lasting legacy benefits to ensure they don’t miss out – collaboration and engagement with communities is key and I look forward to hearing more about this project as it develops.
Photograph shows (l to r): On Site: Craig Allan, Senior Project Manager; Georgina Wardrop, Senior Corporate Affairs Manager; Seamus Logan MP; Ruari Pearson, Construction Manager; and Ben Walker, Senior Public Affairs Manager.
