Powering progress at EGL2
A blog by Fionán Doonan, EGL2 Project Director
The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project has made significant strides in 2025, laying the groundwork for one of the UK’s most important low-carbon infrastructure projects. From the northeast coast at Peterhead to the developing converter station at Wren Hall, construction is progressing rapidly as we work to deliver clean energy to the grid and reduce constraints on the electricity network.
Image: EGL2 Peterhead HVDC Converter Site
Construction began in earnest in October 2024 and aided by a mild winter, has advanced at pace. At Peterhead, our civils contractor, BAM Nuttall, started the main platform build in November 2024, reaching a key milestone with its completion in May 2025. This platform forms the foundation for the next major phases of construction.
Welfare facilities on the Peterhead site have also been delivered and are now fully operational and ready to support the hundreds of workers expected during peak activity in 2026 and 2027. Construction of the service building is well underway too, with basement excavation complete along with reinforced concrete foundations and walls poured in June 2025 – an important structural achievement. Piling has now started on site to support the transformer buildings.
Image: EGL2 Peterhead Basement Steel Fixing
Image: EGL2 Peterhead HVDC Converter Piling Rig
Early 2025 saw the completion of drainage ponds, vital for managing surface water and easing pressure on existing outfalls. The construction of earth mounds is nearly finished, with plans in motion to introduce native landscaping using locally sourced trees and plants.
On the electrical front, diversion of the existing 132kV overhead line are progressing well, scheduled for completion later this summer. Meanwhile, in the 400kV substation works began in June 2025 and will continue over the next three years. This new infrastructure will allow connection to the local AC grid and enable the flow of clean electricity from the AC Grid to the new HVDC converter station and onward south towards Drax.
At Wren Hall, at the southern end of the project, momentum is also building. The site mobilised in Sept 2024, with welfare cabins and a canteen completed in May. Earthworks are underway to construct a four-metre-high platform, which also includes preparations for a Biodiversity Net Gain area to the south of the converter site. Piling began in spring 2025, with wider works, including substation bay installation, cable diversions, and localised strengthening of the overhead line network.
Image: EGL2 Wren Hall, Drax HVDC Converter Site
Image: EGL2 Wren Hall, Drax Piling
Beyond the physical build, EGL2 continues to drive broader positive impact. By way of an example, the project's goal to leave a lasting legacy includes accelerating its sustainability efforts by adopting Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for material handling trucks in Yorkshire and for powering generators at both sites.
In addition, the Community Development Fund, launched in spring, highlights our long-term commitment to delivering community benefit alongside national energy infrastructure.
And while technical progress is vital, so too is workforce wellbeing. One particularly well-received initiative is our local canteen supplier, providing fresh, locally sourced food daily – a much-appreciated boost to morale across both sites.
Looking ahead, piling works at Peterhead are to continue into the second half of 2025, paving the way for steelwork erection in early 2026. At Wren Hall the platform will be finished towards the end of summer allowing foundations for the buildings to be laid.
EGL2 is more than just a construction project – it’s a key enabler of the UK’s clean energy future. Once complete, it will help reduce constraint charges, increase grid capacity, and support a more efficient, low-carbon electricity network.
Progress in 2025 has set the pace – let’s keep it up.