Eastern Green Link 3 (EGL3) has been granted a marine licence for its infrastructure in Scottish waters, marking a significant step for the proposed subsea electricity connection between Scotland and England.

The project is a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission. It aims to carry renewable electricity from the north of Scotland to homes and businesses across Great Britain.

The high-voltage link is intended to add transmission capacity, ease network constraints and support future demand by allowing more homegrown renewable generation to connect to the grid.

The licence permits the installation and operation of the subsea cable infrastructure in Scottish waters, including nearshore work at the planned landfall near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

Several years of development preceded the decision, including marine surveys and ecological and environmental assessments of habitats and species along the proposed route. The project team also consulted offshore developers, communities, fisheries and other stakeholders, with their feedback informing the cable route and efforts to minimise environmental impacts.

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The team has worked with other developers and asset owners to help the electricity infrastructure coexist with other offshore projects.

James Johnson, Joint Venture Programme Director at SSEN Transmission, said: "We're absolutely delighted to have been granted the marine licence for the Scottish waters section of the subsea cable route on EGL3. This marks a really significant moment for the project and reflects many years of design development and marine survey activities which have underpinned this successful outcome today.

"Developing infrastructure of this scale in the marine environment requires careful planning and collaboration. Throughout the development, we have worked closely with local communities, marine stakeholders and other offshore developers and asset owners, whose feedback has helped shape our plans and minimise potential impacts wherever possible.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has engaged with us and contributed to that process, as well as the project team and our specialist consultants for the considerable work that has gone into reaching this important milestone.

"EGL3 will provide vital additional capacity to transport more of Scotland's homegrown renewable electricity to where it is needed, helping strengthen Great Britain's energy security and support the transition to a cleaner, more secure electricity system.

"The project will also bring significant economic growth and jobs, providing opportunities for local people and businesses not only in the north east of Scotland but across the entire project route.

"Securing the Scottish waters marine licence takes us another important step towards the successful delivery of the project, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our stakeholders and project partners as we progress this nationally significant investment."

EGL3 is part of a wider programme to expand Great Britain's electricity network and increase its capacity to connect and transport renewable power.