The Government has approved Sea Link, a major undersea electricity connection between Suffolk and Kent, in a decision announced on Friday 30 October.

Developed by National Grid, the 2 GW link will run primarily offshore over about 138 kilometres and will be capable of carrying enough electricity to power the equivalent of two million homes. Ministers say it will help move power from where it is generated to where it is needed, easing pressure on the network around London.

Why the link is needed

As more wind and other renewable generation connects to the grid, the existing network can become congested, forcing operators at times to pay generators to switch off. The Government says Sea Link will reduce that wasted power, support energy security and help lower costs for households and businesses over time by cutting exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said Britain needs to rebuild the national grid so renewable projects and businesses can connect, supporting growth while reducing reliance on global fossil fuel prices. The approval takes the number of nationally significant clean energy projects approved since July 2024 to 39, according to the Government.

Construction, costs and community funds

National Grid says construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with work continuing into the early 2030s, subject to final technical details and agreements with local authorities. The subsea cable will be manufactured in the UK at Sumitomo Electric's new £350 million factory in Scotland.

The project has also drawn criticism over cost, with regulator Ofgem now estimating it at up to almost £3.2 billion, up from earlier projections of about £1.1 billion as capacity increased. National Grid will run a community benefits scheme providing more than £1 million each for community funds in Kent and Suffolk.