Prysmian has continued to make significant progress on the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project over the past year, advancing delivery of the 2GW high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link connecting Peterhead in Scotland with Drax in England.
The project has reached several major milestones across the onshore cable route in recent months, marking another important step in the delivery of one of the UK's most significant energy infrastructure projects. EGL2 is a multi-billion-pound infrastructure project being delivered through a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). Once operational, EGL2 will play a vital role in strengthening the UK's future energy network. The subsea electricity superhighway will enable the efficient transfer of renewable energy between Scotland and England, supporting a cleaner, more secure and more resilient electricity system.
Significant Progress in Scotland
At the Scottish landfall site, Prysmian has successfully completed construction of the Landfall Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) site. Drilling operations commenced in May 2026 on both HDD crossings, with pilot holes now successfully completed. The project is progressing into the reaming phase, a key stage in preparing the boreholes for cable installation.
Marine construction works will be mobilised from Peterhead Port and is scheduled to begin operations at Sandford Bay from the end of June 2026. The works will prepare the seabed to facilitate the breakthrough of the HDD boreholes into pre-excavated trenches, enabling the subsequent installation of steel ducts that will connect the onshore and offshore cable systems.
Throughout delivery, Prysmian and its contractors continue to work closely with local authorities, landowners and farmers to minimise disruption and reduce impacts on local communities.
Driving Forward in England
In North and East Yorkshire, substantial progress is also being made as teams continue preparing the route for major infrastructure installation.
Ahead of cable installation works, engineers have completed detailed ground investigation to ensure the long-term stability, performance and sustainability of the cable system.
To date, Prysmian and its contractors have completed the following works as part of EGL2:
- Over 16 km of haul roads have been installed alongside bell-mouth access points.
- 12 km of drainage.
- 1.5 km of trenching.
- 4 horizontal directional drills.
- Archaeological trial trenching.
In terms of offshore activity, detailed marine engineering surveys are progressing along the offshore cable lay route, with the following milestones achieved:
- Geotechnical survey completed
- Geophysical survey ongoing
- Survey of the offshore crossing to be completed by the end of July
These enabling works have created safe and reliable access for personnel, heavy equipment and construction materials, supporting the transition into the next phase of delivery.
From Enabling Works to Construction
As pre-construction activities continue across the route, Prysmian has now entered the main construction phase of EGL2.
Giuseppe Cardamone, Project Director for EGL2 at Prysmian, said:
“Eastern Green Link 2 is a powerful example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision. The scale and complexity of this project demands close collaboration across our teams, delivery partners, supply chain and stakeholders. Every milestone reached is the result of that collective effort, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to safety, engineering excellence and responsible delivery. Together, we are building infrastructure that will support the UK's transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system and deliver lasting benefits for generations to come."
The next major milestone will be the preparation of the England landfall site ahead of HDD works that will connect the onshore and offshore sections of the project. As construction progresses, Prysmian will remain focused on delivering social value through local employment opportunities, skills development, responsible procurement and community investment, while continuing to achieve key project milestones and maintain open, transparent engagement with local communities throughout delivery.
Notes to Editors
About Prysmian and EGL2 Social Value
Prysmian is the main contractor responsible for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the HVDC cable system for EGL2. As part of this major infrastructure project, Prysmian is committed to delivering lasting social value by investing in local communities, supporting employment and skills development, and promoting environmental sustainability throughout the project lifecycle.
About Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2)
Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) is one of the UK’s most ambitious strategic energy infrastructure developments, connecting the north-east of Scotland to North Yorkshire through a subsea electricity cable.
EGL2 is a 505km electricity superhighway that will enable the transfer of renewable energy between Scotland and England through a high-voltage direct current subsea cable system. Connecting Peterhead in Aberdeenshire with Drax in North Yorkshire, the 2GW link will help transport enough electricity to power approximately two million homes once operational.