As part of Prysmian commitment to social initiatives on the Eastern Green Link (EGL1) project, Prysmian colleagues volunteered at beach cleans in County Durham and North Berwick, as part of the Great British Beach Clean – a national initiative led by the Marine Conservation Society. Held every September, the week-long event brings together thousands of volunteers across the UK each year to help clear litter from our coastlines, which not only removes waste from beaches but influences long-term solutions to marine pollution.
The team got involved as part of their work to support communities close to the EGL1 project. By partnering with Durham Wildlife Trust in County Durham and the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, the activities demonstrate how industry can work with local people and organisations to protect marine environments and make a real impact for communities..
The effort resulted in the removal of 8 bags of litter in North Berwick and 30 bags in County Durham.
The rubbish was sorted into categories such as food wrappers, polystyrene, and bottles, feeding into national datasets that help conservation groups track the most common forms of marine litter.
All recyclable items were separated and responsibly disposed of through the local authorities.
Building on our continous support
These activities follow on from Prysmian’s earlier beach clean activity this year (read more here), also as part of EGL1 project’s commitment to social value. Organised during World Environment Day, this demonstrated a consistent commitment to coastal protection and community engagement. In May, a beach clean took place at Horden Beach, County Durham, where a Prysmian colleague participated in a two-hour litter pick in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust. Shortly after, for World Enviroment Day in June, Prysmian colleagues visited North Berwick Beach, East Lothian, to litter pick the beach. Alongside supply chain partners from Prysmian UK, Brown & May Marine, and Glenturas, a total of 10 participants joined this two-hour clean, in support of the Scottish Seabird Centre.
By taking part in the Great British Beach Clean, Prysmian is helping to reduce the risks that discarded rubbish poses to coastal ecosystems, seabirds, and marine life, while also engaging communities and decision-makers in conversations about how to tackle these issues on a wider scale. Both beach cleans reflect Prysmian’s commitment to embedding social value within the Eastern Green Link 1.
Focus on EGL1
Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) will form a vital electricity transmission link between Torness in East Lothian, Scotland and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham, England and is the first contracted cable system in the UK to utilise 525 kV HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technology with extruded XLPE insulation. The project is being developed through a joint venture between Scottish Power Energy Networks and National Grid Electricity Transmission.
With a power transmission capacity of 2 GW, Prysmian shall design, manufacture, install, test and commission the required HVDC cable system, delivering nearly 400 km power cable needed for the 194 km route between the two countries. The majority 176 km portion of the route shall be installed offshore in the North Sea with onshore sections of around 8 km and 10 km in Scotland and England respectively.