Iberdrola Awards £3 Billion Contracts To Build Major Scotland–England Subsea Power Link

The Iberdrola Group, through its UK subsidiary SP Energy Networks, has moved forward with a major step in expanding the UK’s clean energy infrastructure by awarding contracts worth more than £3 billion (around €3.5 billion). These contracts will support the development of the Eastern Green Link 4 (EGL4), a new subsea electricity interconnector linking Scotland and England. The project is designed to reinforce the UK’s energy network, improve security of supply, and contribute to long-term economic growth.

Under the new agreement, Siemens Energy will be responsible for building two high-voltage direct current (HVDC) converter stations. These advanced facilities will convert alternating current into direct current so that electricity can travel more efficiently over long distances at a transmission level of 525,000 volts. The power will move along a route of about 640 kilometres—most of it laid under the sea—before being converted back to alternating current for smooth integration into the onshore grid.

Earlier in the year, Iberdrola also signed another major contract worth £2 billion (around €2.3 billion) with Prysmian. This agreement covers the supply of more than 640 kilometres of cable required for the project, including 530 kilometres of subsea cable and another 116 kilometres installed underground. Together, these two contracts form the core technical foundation for the EGL4 link.

Eastern Green Link 4 will have a capacity of 2,000 megawatts and will connect the regions of Fife in Scotland and Norfolk in England. Once operational, it will be able to carry enough renewable electricity to power over 1.5 million homes. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, and if all goes according to plan, the system will be commissioned in 2033. The converter stations enabling this transfer will be located at each end of the route.

This infrastructure will work alongside Eastern Green Link 1, another 2,000-megawatt network link currently under development. EGL1, which started construction in 2025, will connect Torness with Hawthorne Pit and is expected to be completed by 2029. Together, these projects will significantly enhance the UK’s ability to move renewable energy from areas of high generation to areas of high demand.

Looking ahead, the Iberdrola Group plans to invest €14 billion by 2031 to expand and modernise the UK’s transmission network. This long-term commitment aims to strengthen national energy security, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and support the integration of new renewable energy sources. The investment will also contribute to job creation and broader economic development across several UK regions. The United Kingdom continues to be a key market for Iberdrola. The company intends to invest €20 billion in the country by 2028 to reinforce energy stability, accelerate the shift toward sustainability, and help build a more competitive and self-sufficient electricity system.