£2 billion boost puts North East on route to ‘electric superhighway’

The North East is primed to play a key role in a multi-billion-pound North Sea wind project.

Energy regulator Ofgem has unveiled a £2 billion funding package for the 120-mile Eastern Green Link 1 subsea and underground cable venture between County Durham and Scotland.

It says the scheme would create an “electricity superhighway” from Hawthorn Pit, near Seaham, to Torness, in East Lothian, that would provide two gigawatts of wind-generated power to millions of homes.

Bosses add it would “reduce Britain’s reliance on volatile international gas markets by further harnessing the power of homegrown North Sea wind… boost energy security, cut bills and hit Government green targets”.

Beatrice Filkin, Ofgem director of major projects, said: “This announcement means customers can reap the benefits of abundant homegrown wind faster, while also being increasingly shielded from volatile imported gas prices.

“Our fast-track process provides developers with access to some initial upfront funding from the projected budget, so they can secure the supply chain commitments needed to secure the sought-after materials to deliver this project as soon as possible.

“However, streamlining our process does not mean we’ve handed a blank cheque to the developers.

“We’ve built in safeguards, which mean we can step in where needed to ensure they deliver maximum efficiency and benefit to customers.”