Balfour Beatty has been awarded a contract by Prysmian to install 68 kilometers of high voltage direct current (HVDC) land cables from Fraisthorpe Sands to Drax in Yorkshire, England, along with an additional 1 kilometer of HVDC land cable at Peterhead in Scotland.
This work is part of the 2GW HVDC electrical “superhighway” cable link (525kV) between Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and Drax in North Yorkshire, England.
The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project, a collaboration between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission, is a key initiative in the UK’s energy infrastructure. Earlier this year, Prysmian was awarded a €1.9 billion (£1.6 billion) contract by EGL2 Limited to design, manufacture, install, test, and commission the HVDC cable system, which includes 436 kilometers of HVDC submarine cables.
Balfour Beatty will deliver approximately 15% of the route on behalf of Prysmian, further building on the company’s recent appointment by National Grid in June 2024 to replace and upgrade around 25 kilometers of overhead lines in North Yorkshire, increasing the capacity for the EGL2 project.
To minimize visual impact and preserve the landscape across East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and Peterhead, the cables will be installed underground. This approach ensures the local environment remains undisturbed for residents and visitors.
The HVDC cables will connect to new converter stations at both ends, converting clean, renewable offshore wind energy for distribution to homes and businesses across Great Britain.
Tony Wilson, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission and Distribution business, commented: “With our proven experience in complex cabling projects, this contract reinforces our pivotal role in delivering vital infrastructure for the energy sector. Our expertise ensures we’re well-positioned to deliver this work, which will power around two million homes and businesses, supporting the UK’s clean energy transition.”
Balfour Beatty’s appointment enhances its portfolio of critical power transmission and distribution projects, including the £363 million Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement scheme.
Main construction is set to begin in early 2025, with completion scheduled for 2029. At its peak, the project will employ 140 people, including graduate and apprenticeship positions, aligning with Balfour Beatty’s commitment to The 5% Club.
Balfour Beatty’s comprehensive capabilities in the UK energy market continue to position the company as a leader in the sector.
