BAM has been awarded an early contractor involvement (ECI) contract by SSEN Transmission to support the delivery of civil engineering works for the northern converter station on the proposed Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) project.
The agreement covers design development and constructability support for the converter station and associated civil engineering works at a site near Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.
According to data provider Glenigan, the Eastern Green Link 3 project has an estimated value of £2.5bn.
SSEN Transmission said a subsequent contract, expected to be awarded in 2027, will cover the detailed design and construction of the converter station buildings, access roads, drainage systems and supporting infrastructure required for the installation of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) equipment.
Eastern Green Link 3 is being developed as a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission. The proposed 2GW, 525kV HVDC connection will run for approximately 680km between Peterhead in Aberdeenshire and Norfolk via a combination of onshore and subsea cables. The developers say it will be the UK’s largest electricity transmission project.
James Johnson, SSEN Transmission joint venture programme director and EGL3 deputy project director, said: “Signing this contract with Bam is another important milestone for EGL3 as we continue to secure the supply chain needed to deliver this nationally significant infrastructure project.
“The northern converter station is a critical component of the project, and the safe, efficient and timely installation of the civils works will be central to enabling the subsequent installation of the HVDC technology.”
BAM UK & Ireland director Adrian Collins said the contractor would continue its involvement in the Eastern Green Link programme through the ECI agreement for the Peterhead converter station.
If approved, EGL3 will increase electricity transmission capacity between Scotland and England, enabling renewable electricity generated in Scotland and offshore to be transported south. SSEN Transmission said the scheme will help reduce transmission constraints while increasing capacity across the national electricity network.
The proposed Scottish converter station at the Netherton Hub has already received planning permission in principle. A planning application for the English section of the project is expected to be submitted later this year following public consultation.
Subject to planning approval, construction is due to begin in 2028, with the new transmission link expected to be energised in 2033.
