A consultation on proposals that will see underground electricity cables running through South Holland has officially launched.
Part of National Grid’s Great Grid update, the two cables aim to bring wind-sourced energy from off the Scottish coast into the main grid at Walpole in Norfolk.
The consultations run until June 23 and are for what National Grid is calling EGL (Eastern Green Link) 3, EGL4 and EGL5. All three will make landfall around Anderby Creek, north of Skegness.
EGL3 and EGL4 are proposed to have 100km of underground cable running through the district to Walpole.
The plan has previously been consulted on with changes having been made to the course in the area where they’re intended to make landfall.
EGL5 is proposed to go into the grid 10km inland and not into South Holland. It’s the first consultation for this proposal.
Both EGL3 and EGL4 would feed power into the grid at the proposed end of the Grimsby to Walpole overhead cables line, although that stretch is not part of this consultation.
Nor is the recently announced ‘Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire’ overhead cables (see front page).
And the proposal is on top of the Great Grid Upgrade which will see 420 pylons along 87 miles between Grimsby and Walpole.
Sean Stokoe, head of offshore consents for National Grid, said in a media briefing this week that the electricity couldn’t make landfall near Scotland due to the type of current needed.
When asked why the cables couldn’t all be put into the grid at the same place as soon as they get onshore,
Stephen Mathers, the project link director, said it was due to ‘energy security’.
“If all three were in one location that would be a risk.”
Mr Stokoe said: “The demand for electricity is expected to double by 2050.
“Each one of these is capable of powering two million homes, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, sustaining energy security and supporting lower electricity bills.”
Several consultation events are planned, including in South Holland at The Holbeach Hub on Wednesday, June 3, from 2pm to 7pm and at Tydd St Giles Community Centre, from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, June 5. Another is at Poachers Country Hotel, Kirton Holme, 2pm to 7pm on Tuesday, June 3.
A series of online ‘webinars’ are also set to take place. There are different ones for different sections with Webinar Four (Firth Bank to South Holland Drain, Friday, May 30, 12pm to 1pm) and Webinar Five (South Holland Drain to Walpole area Thursday, June 20, 12pm to 1pm) covering proposed work in this district.
The consultation is also available online at www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/eastern-green-link-3-and-4
The feedback form is available here.
You can also ring 0800 2980405 or write to Freepost EASTERN GREEN LINKS 3 & 4.
