The Project
EGL2 is a groundbreaking 505km electricity superhighway - the UK's longest electricity transmission project - designed to enable the transfer of clean energy between Scotland and England via a subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable. Connecting Peterhead in Aberdeenshire to Drax in North Yorkshire, this two-gigawatt link is a critical component of the UK’s Great Grid Upgrade, and upon its completion in 2029, will allow us to prioritise increasingly sustainable, homegrown energy.
EGL2 is a multi-party effort involving global leaders:
- Hitachi Energy – HVDC technology for converter stations.
- BAM – Construction of converter stations.
- Prysmian – Design, manufacture, and installation of subsea and onshore cables.
- Balfour Beatty – Onshore cable installation.
- Murphy Power Networks and Balfour Beatty – Delivery of the Wider Works (Substation & Cables, OHL).
Delivered as a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), EGL2 will:
- Build two converter stations at Peterhead and Drax.
- Install 436km of subsea cable and 69km of underground cable.
- Upgrade existing substations and 400kV circuits.
The Challenge
The UK faces three major energy challenges:
- Decarbonisation: Phasing out fossil fuels and integrating renewable generation.
- Energy Security: Reducing reliance on imports by connecting homegrown sources.
- Rising Demand: Electricity demand is forecast to double by 2050.
EGL2 addresses these challenges by creating a robust, flexible transmission link capable of transporting renewable energy where it’s needed most.
Our Role
In partnership with National Grid, Omnia Projects provided Professional Services, ensuring seamless delivery and alignment with the UK’s renewable, homegrown energy objectives.
Our work included:
- Programme Management: Coordinating complex interfaces between multiple contractors and stakeholders.
- Technical Advisory: Supporting HVDC technology integration between the converter station and existing Substation infrastructure.
- Risk & Compliance: Ensuring regulatory alignment and mitigating delivery risks.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating collaboration across SSEN, NGET, and tier-one contractors.]
Our Impact
Our contribution to this vital energy project will ensure that EGL2 is on track to:
- Enable the transmission of 2GW of renewable energy (enough to power millions of homes)
- Support the UK’s offshore wind targets of 50GW by 2030.
- Strengthen energy security and resilience for decades to come.
EGL2 is shaping up to be a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy future. By partnering with National Grid we're proud to support the delivery of a project that will transform how energy flows across Britain.