EGL4 Awards £3 Billion in Contracts to Siemens Energy and Prysmian

Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4) has confirmed the award of contracts totalling £3 billion (approximately $3.8 billion), marking a key milestone in the deployment of this high voltage direct current (HVDC) submarine cable between Scotland and England. The joint venture between SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission selected Siemens Energy to supply the HVDC converter stations, following a £2 billion (approximately $2.5 billion) contract awarded to Prysmian for the subsea and underground cables. EGL4 is one of five subsea links under development along Britain's east coast, aimed at strengthening grid resilience and reducing transmission constraints.

Two Converter Stations in Scotland and England

The Siemens Energy contract covers the construction of two HVDC converter stations: one in Fife, Scotland, and one in Norfolk, England. These stations convert alternating current into direct current, allowing electricity to travel approximately 640 km, primarily undersea. With a capacity of 2 GW, EGL4 aims to reduce grid congestion and accelerate the integration of renewable energy sources — a challenge shared globally, as illustrated by India's target of 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030. Such investments in grid infrastructure respond to growing global demand for clean electricity transmission capacity.

Siemens Energy employs more than 7,000 people across the UK, including at its centre of excellence in Manchester. Subject to planning consent, the project is expected to enter main construction in 2028 and is scheduled for completion in 2033. James Goode, Project Director of EGL4, said the confirmation of contract awards "demonstrates the scale and momentum behind Eastern Green Link 4" as it moves into delivery.

Prysmian Anchors Its Supply Chain in North-East England

Prysmian relies on its Port of Middlesbrough marine base for its submarine cable operations. The company works with more than 100 UK suppliers, over 40% of which are based in the North East of England, and employs 1,200 people across the UK. David Worthington, Business Director UK and North Europe at Prysmian, said projects such as EGL4 "strengthen the capability to deliver major offshore and onshore cable connections". Iain Adams, Deputy Project Director of EGL4, described the contract signings as "a real project milestone".

SP Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission are also developing Eastern Green Link 1 as part of the same coastal subsea interconnection programme. Together, these links aim to strengthen the resilience of Britain's electricity network and enable greater volumes of renewable energy to flow between Scotland and England. The projects are expected to reduce grid constraint costs and strengthen UK energy security, according to project leaders.