Further consultation on National Grid’s Sea Link project launched

A further consultation on a major energy transmission project has launched today.

National Grid Electricity Transmission’s (NGET) fresh consultation on the Sea Link proposals will run until August 11.

The project involves the reinforcement of electricity transmission between Suffolk and Kent, primarily by an offshore current link but with onshore elements to bring the power into the network.

In Suffolk, this would involve connection to the existing network via a proposed substation at Friston, which already has development consent as part of other projects.

This would be connected to a converter station in Saxmundham, which would require around two kilometres of underground cabling between the hubs.

There would also be around 10 kilometres of cabling from the station in Saxmundham to a landfall point somewhere on the coast between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness.

The offhsore part of Sea Link comprises around 122 kilometres of subsea cabling between the Suffolk landfall and the Kent landfall at Pegwell Bay.

The construction phase of the project would see temporary measures implemented including overhead line diversions, construction sites erected as well as watercourse crossings and the diversion of public rights of way.

The project affords opportunities for environmental mitigation, compensation and enhancement, which NGET said could include hedgerow creation, native tree planting and habitat creation.

This further consultation will focus on design changes proposed following the previous statutory consultation from October 24 to December 18.

This includes changes to the cable route north of Aldeburgh, confirmation of access routes to the Saxmundham station and alterations to an associated access bridge over the River Fromus.

A series of public webinars will be held during the consultation period, offering residents a chance to hear further details about Sea Link and raise questions with the project team.